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All tagged Larch Creek Fire Update
The 18,000-plus acre stands at 14 percent contained at a cost of $10.1 million. Well water testing is recommended for properties affected by the Larch Creek Fire. Today, Forecasters are calling for 98 degrees in the region of the fire with winds around 6 mph, according to the National Weather Service. It has issued a Fire Weather Watch in the Larch Creek Fire area.
“Under these conditions, any ignitions could spread rapidly. Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of new fires. The public is also reminded that drones are not permitted to fly in the fire's airspace. Doing so can cause grounding of all aircraft, hampering effective fire response,” stated a joint press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal.
Crews took advantage of calmer winds and additional resources on Friday, July 12. Air resources supported crews on the ground with helicopters, single-engine air tankers, and scoopers. On the north side, firefighters reinforced line, and efforts on the east side allowed Highway 216 to reopen.
Afternoon winds on Thursday pushed the fire south as the fire spread into canyons and draws next to Highway 197 on Wednesday, July 10, and then moved on Thursday toward nearby Highway 216 - the road that leads from 197 to White River Falls on the way to the Deschutes River.
Initial attack crews worked through the night putting in dozer lines and burnouts along the east and west flanks from the north down to the unsecured south. The Central Oregon Type 3 Interagency Fire Management Team as well as the Green Incident Management Team from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are in place at the Dufur High School.
Level 2 GET SET Evacuations have been upgraded for the areas east of Hwy 197, east to the Deschutes River, north to Hulse Rd, and south to Hwy 216. All other evacuation areas remain the same.
Pine Hollow Reservoir has been to the public so that aircraft have access to quickly and efficiently continue fighting the fire.
Last reported resources: 8 engines, 20-person hand crew from USFS Mt Hood, 4 dozers, local landowner resources, and multiple air resources. A type 3 Central Oregon Fire Management Service team has been ordered and is in route. The forecast calls for a high near 96 today, July 10.. Northwest wind will be 7 to 12 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
