Containment grows to 14% on nearly 19,000-acre Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County amid new lightning threat in area

(Update: Tuesday morning fire update; fire weather watch issued)

DUFUR, Ore. (KTVZ) – A week after it began, firefighters have brought the nearly 19,000-acre Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County to 14% containment, but officials said Tuesday a new threat of thunderstorms could bring new lightning and winds that affect fire behavior.

Here's the Tuesday morning update on the fire:

(For the latest information, visit the fire's Facebook page ):

Chance of lightning beginning Tuesday evening

Dufur, Ore. – The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch in the Larch Creek Fire area. Scattered thunderstorms are expected across Central Oregon beginning Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, July 17. The storm may bring outflow winds that could impact fire behavior. Improved weather conditions are anticipated by midmorning tomorrow.

A heat advisory is in effect from noon today, July 16 through Wednesday night. Increased temperatures and decreased humidity are anticipated. Fire personnel will monitor for smoldering snags and other residual heat.

Last night, firefighters focused on securing the fire’s perimeter and strengthening fire lines. Today, this work will continue as well as expanding efforts to mop up deeper into the interior of the fire.

The Department of the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) demobilized today, July 16. ODF IMT2 has taken sole command of the fire.

“The collective partnership of ODF and OSFM incident management teams assures that Oregonians are well-served,” said Incident Commander Matt Howard.

Evacuation levels decreased in some areas yesterday, July 15. Please see evacuation information below for more information on your specific area of concern.

Evacuation information is available at: www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff

Evacuation shelters: One shelter is available at Wy’East Middle School (3000 Wy’East Road, Hood River). The livestock shelter is located adjacent to the Wy’East Middle School at the Hood River Fairgrounds (3020 Wy’East Road, Hood River).

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Estimated Size: 18,689 acres

Containment: 14%

Cause: Human Caused

Estimated Cost: $10,100,000

Total Personnel: 868

Hand Crews: 27

Engines: 41

Water Tenders: 13

Dozers: 13

Helicopters: 10

Evacuations:

LEVEL 3 – GO NOW: Wamic & Pine Hollow from Friend Rd. in the north down to Rock Creek Dam Rd./Wamic Market Rd. in the south. Threemile Rd. & Happy Ridge Rd. in the west and the intersection of Shadybrook Rd. and Hwy 197 in the southeast.

LEVEL 2 – BE SET: From Hulse Rd. in the north, to the White River in the south, east to the Deschutes River and west to Hwy 197. From the west side of the City of Tygh Valley to the intersection of Wamic Market Rd. and Fairgrounds Rd., north to the intersection of Fairgrounds Rd. and Shadybrook Rd., east to Hwy 197 and the Deschutes River, from Hwy 197 in the north to the White River in the south. From the intersection of Rock Creek Dam Rd. and Threemile Rd. north to Dodson Rd., west to Gate Creek, south to the White River, and east to the boundary of the city of Tygh Valley.

LEVEL 1 – BE READY: From Hwy 197, south to Hulse Rd., east to the Deschutes River, and from the intersection of Hwy 197 and Tygh Valley Market Rd., southeast to the Deschutes River. From Elliott Rd. east to Hwy 197, south to the intersection of Hwy 197 and Dufur Gap Rd., and due west to Elliott Rd.

Initial info:

Shortly after the fire was reported last Tuesday, the Waco County Sheriff’s Office asked people to stay away from the Larch Creek Fire on Winslow Road. A Red Cross Evacuation Shelter was opened at Maupin High School. The Wasco County Fairgrounds was designated a temporary evacuation point for livestock.

Watch Duty indicated the fire had grown to about 7,000 acres by late Tuesday night.

ODOT said Wednesday that Highway 197 will be closed at times due to the windfire activity between Maupin and Dufur, milepost 22 to 33.

"Expect long delays or use an alternate route," an advisory said, warning that "the highway could fully close at any time, depending on fire activity. Crews are flagging traffic for fire crews and planes working close to the highway."

Check the latest conditions at our ODOT TripCheck page .

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OSFM mobilizes resources to Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 07/09/24 9:23 PM

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four structural task forces and its green incident management team to the Larch Creek Fire burning in Wasco County, 16 miles south of The Dalles.

The fire sparked between Dufur and Tygh Valley around 3 p.m. Tuesday and has quickly grown. The fire is estimated at 2,500 acres. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuations in place.

The area remains under a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather. On Tuesday, temperatures reached 107 degrees. Gusty winds are expected to continue into Wednesday.

Three structural task forces will be briefed at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday morning with another task force joining later in the afternoon.

“The heat wave that has gripped Oregon significantly increased the fire danger across the state. The continued hot, dry conditions, and gusty winds are a dangerous combination,” Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema said. “I am asking everyone to do what they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

Tuesday night, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

Following ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.

For the latest on evacuations, follow the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office .

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