Larch Creek Fire expands as Governor and State Fire Marshal take action

(The Center Square) - The Larch Creek Fire has expanded to 9,100 acres in size and jumped Highway 197, forcing the highway's closure.

The human-caused fire that's burning in Wasco County began on Tuesday afternoon near Friend, Oregon, and quickly expanded, according to KATU .

The wind and high temperatures have posed a challenge to firefighters responding to the fire. Local firefighters are receiving help from task forces from Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties in their fire response efforts.

The fire is mostly burning in open grass, the report said.

Responding to the wildfire, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Tuesday. It allows the Oregon fire service to use its full power to protect life and property. Kotek invoked this because she thinks combatting the fire is beyond the capabilities of local fire departments.

“Oregonians across the state have been battling unusually high temperatures over the past week, which increased the threat of wildfire,” Governor Kotek said in a statement. “I authorized an emergency conflagration to allow additional resources to fight the Larch Creek Fire. I want to extend my gratitude to Wasco County, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon Department of Forestry, and our federal wildfire protection partners for working around the clock to keep Oregonians safe.”

The move allowed the state fire marshal to mobilize resources via the state's Fire Mutual Aid System. However, the conflagration only applies to the Larch Creek Fire threatening structures in Wasco County.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has kept the area of the fire under a Red Flag Warning due to the high temperatures and wind.

The State Fire Marshal briefed four structural task forces on Wednesday to help them better understand the needs of the wildfire mitigation efforts, a release said.

“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 in the release. “I am asking everyone to do what they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

The latest information on evacuations in response to the wildfire is available here .