The Long Bend Fire (Incident #277) is burning approximately four miles southwest of Maupin on the west side of the Deschutes River. The fire is currently estimated at 625 acres and 0% contained burning on Bureau of Land Management and private lands.
Overnight the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” notice for all residences south of Mile Post 24 Hwy 216 to Blue Rock Road, Maupin. Evacuations remain in place for Harpham Flat Campground & Wapinitia Campground. Boaters in the general area are asked to use caution as helicopters may be dipping water out of the river.
Fire activity on the Long Bend Fire decreased in the early morning hours. The fire remains on the west side of the Deschutes River and is currently moving to the north and west following the river drainage. The south end of the fire continues to be quiet with some slow spread to the southwest.
Rappellers are monitoring the Wapinitia Canyon area. The Juniper Flat Rural Fire Protection District is engaged in the northwest corner. An engine is patrolling the east side of the Deschutes River for any potential spot fires.
Resources engaged on the Long Bend Fire include 8 engines, 3 water tenders, 4 rappellers, and miscellaneous overhead.
A 20-person hotshot crew will arrive this morning. A Type 3 incident commander took command of the fire overnight. Additional Type 3 Incident Management Team resources will arrive today. Firefighters on the ground will be supported by one Type 1 helicopter, one Type 2 helicopter and air attack.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
For current wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X (Twitter) @CentralORFire.
