Due to improved conditions and success by firefighters, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is reducing evacuation levels around the Pine Fire, burning more than 6,500 acres southeast of Bend. The fire is now 50 percent contained.
Current evacuation levels are:
Level 3: Go Now! – Public lands on and immediately the eastern flanks of surrounding Pine Mountain including Antelope Ridge and private lands in Kotzman Basin (remains unchanged).
Level 2: Be Set – The western portion of Pine Mountain, south to FS Road 23 and south to Sand Springs and the Mahogany Butte Area.
Level 1: Be Ready – Areas north and east of Pine Mountain, south of Hwy 20 from FS Road 2017 (Pine Mountain Rd) to Fredericks Butte Rd.
Current maps can be found at www.deschutes.org/emergency
The Little Lava Fire was very active Tuesday due to dry fuel conditions and gusty winds. Currently, the fire is estimated to be 14,529 acres and remains 63% contained.
Weather conditions were favorable Wednesday and firefighters made great progress. Dozer line was constructed around the roughly 100-acre slopover that became established east of Forest Service Road (FSR) 45 Tuesday near FSR 4188. Just south of the slopover, crews used tactical burning operations along the west side of FSR 45 to remove a pocket of unburned fuel ahead of the main fire to secure this section of the road. Aircraft was very active throughout the day dropping water to limit fire growth and cool hot spots.
Additional resources arrived at the fire Wednesday including one hotshot crew, four engines, and three dozers. Additional resources have also been ordered.
Thursday, the priority will continue to be limiting fire progression to the east. Firefighters plan to install hose lays along the dozer line and begin mopping up the 100-acre slopover across FSR 45 near FSR 4188. Crews will continue reducing fuels along FSR 45 to prepare the road as an eastern control line. Resources will also continue to look for safe and effective opportunities to engage the fire more directly on the northeastern edge.
Thursday’s weather forecast will be favorable for fire suppression efforts. Temperatures are expected to be 60-65 degrees with light easterly winds.
An emergency fire area closure remains in place for the Bachelor Complex to provide for public and firefighter safety. Firefighters have recently encountered members of the public within the closure area which can hinder fire suppression efforts and is unsafe as the fire isn’t fully contained. A map of the current closure area and the order can be viewed here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices
For current wildfire information, the public can visit
centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X (Twitter) @CentralORFire.
