Firefighters were successful last evening in completing line around the Darlene Fire using dozer lines and existing road system.
“A great success by firefighters once again” La Pine Rural Fire Protection Fire Chief Mike Supkis stated. He also reported that due to the wildland firefighters’ quick actions he is happy to report that there were no structures lost within the boundaries of the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District.
The 588-acre fire, based on mapping, will continue to challenge firefighters today with a red flag warning of high winds and low relative humidity forecasted for the fire area from noon today through 11pm tomorrow. Structure protection and the safety of residents in the area is a priority for firefighters and all participating agencies, including all participating rural fire protection districts, as fire weather and fuels are still a concern.
Firefighters today will be scouting for spot fires and strengthening the lines in preparation for the afternoon red flag weather moving in. Air resources will continue to used, if needed, as well as dozers, engines, hand crews and water tenders.
A Type 2 team will in-brief this evening and will take over managing the fire beginning of shift on Thursday.
Please continue to monitor the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department website for current evacuation information: https://bit.ly/3eeTRx1.
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The fire threatened homes and structures in the area and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department established Type 3 “GO” and Type 2 “Get Ready” evacuation zones for the fire. The most current evacuation zones can be found on a map on the Deschutes County’s website at this link: https://bit.ly/3eeTRx1.
Initial attack resources were rapidly deployed to the fire when it began as well as several air tankers however, the fire in very dry fuels and the heat of the Tuesday afternoon, exhibited extreme fire behavior resulting in its rapid growth. A Type 3 Team took over management of the fire around 3 p.m. The Type 3 Team and firefighters even given the extreme fire behavior, were able to keep the fire east of Darlene Way, west of major power lines, and north of State Highway 31 into the early evening.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) will take over managing the fire Wednesday evening, which will allow the Type 3 Team to be available for any potential emerging incidents.
A Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity has been issued by the National Weather Service beginning today at noon and lasting through Thursday at 11 p.m. The Red Flag Warning is significant because it indicates the potential for new fire starts and for the spread of existing fires.
The public is reminded that full Public Use Restrictions are in effect for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District of the BLM. For more information about these restrictions, the public can review the press release at this link: https://bit.ly/2UE0MZz .
