Oregon wildfires: Darlene 3 Fire at 42% containment, campfire restrictions issued
There are multiple active wildfires burning across Oregon. Here is the latest information on the largest and most active fire incidents.
Darlene 3 Fire reaches 42% containment near La Pine, Oregon
The Darlene 3 Fire burning outside La Pine in Deschutes County reached 3,889 acres Thursday and did not grow overnight into Friday. Central Oregon Fire Info reported the fire was at 42% containment. Due to decreased danger, evacuation orders have been reduced in some areas.
Due to cooler temperatures and calmer winds on Thursday, crews were able to increase containment lines. According to Central Oregon Fire Info, the same calm weather is expected to continue over the next few days, which will help crews to continue strengthening containment lines.
"Teams have been successful in protecting key community assets, including the La Pine Community Cemetery off Reed Road, power lines, a cell tower and the city’s water supply. Due to decreased fire threat to the community, fire managers were able to release some of the OSFM structural protection task forces to their home agencies," the agency said in a news release.
The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has lowered some evacuation warnings and orders on Friday afternoon.
The Newberry Estates subdivision has been reduced from Level 3 'Go Now' to Level 2 'Be Set' and the residential area immediately north of Burgess Road and east of the Little Deschutes River has been reduced from Level 1'Be Ready' to no evacuation notice.
Deschutes County officials suggest residents understand there is still risks and should still be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice. An evacuation map and updated information can be found at www.deschutes.org/emergency.
Campfires only allowed in campgrounds in Central Oregon
Central Oregon public lands will move into Stage 1 public use fire restrictions Monday. Primarily, that means campfires will only be allowed in designated campgrounds in fire rings in the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests.
"Due to increasingly hot and dry conditions all fires, wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires in non-designated campgrounds will be prohibited," officials said.
A full list of campground restrictions and details can found at centraloregonfire.org.
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest issues fire restrictions
Warm and dry conditions coupled with moderate fire danger in Southern Oregon has caused officials in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest to move into Stage 1 public use restrictions effective Saturday. Campfires will only be permitted in designated campgrounds.
More information on the restriction order can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices/?aid=88429.
Progress continues on Upper Applegate Fire
The Upper Applegate Fire burning south of Ruch in Jackson County remained at 937 acres and 15% mopped up Friday morning. Fire crews worked overnight to increase the direct line around the fire to 70%, leaving 30% indirectly lined.
The area experienced cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. Strategic firing operations were used to help close the gap between the fire's edge and the indirect line on a portion of the north end.
Updated fire information for southern Oregon can be found at swofire.com.
Little Valley Fire continues to grow
The Little Valley Fire burning two miles south of Little Valley in Malheur County was at 17,350 acres per the National Interagency Fire Center on Watch Duty. The fire was reported to be 30% contained.
The Little Valley Fire was first reported Wednesday afternoon due to a storm and grew over 15,000 acres on the first day.
Tucker Fire reaches 60% containment
The Tucker Fire burning 15 miles south of Paisley between Clover Flat Road and Highway 31 reached 60% containment and remained at 840 acres Thursday afternoon. Multiple resources are on scene to mop up hot spots and to secure the fire edge according to the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.
Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at elogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfire updates: Darlene 3 Fire at 42% containment
