Oregon Wildfire Threatens Homes near Bend, Prompts Evacuations

A wildfire near Bend, Oregon, escalated dramatically on Wednesday, threatening homes and prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,100 residences. The Darlene 3 fire, located just outside La Pine, approximately 30 miles south of Bend, expanded to nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers).

Geoff Wullschlager, city manager of La Pine, reported improved firefighting efforts compared to the previous day. Fire crews had successfully established defensive lines around the blaze overnight, achieving 30% containment by Wednesday. However, concerns persisted due to forecasted strong winds expected later in the day, which could exacerbate the fire's spread.

Why This Matters: Evacuation alerts were issued on Tuesday for homes and businesses in the fire's path, according to Lt. Jayson Janes of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. As of Wednesday, these orders remained in effect, with approximately 50-60 evacuees seeking refuge at a local high school serving as an evacuation center.

While it was unclear whether any structures had been damaged or destroyed by the fire, residents like Jenny Braden experienced the intensity firsthand. Braden, upon receiving the evacuation notice, hastily gathered her family and pets, relocating to a shelter while monitoring the fire's proximity anxiously.

"This is the closest and most urgent evacuation we've faced," Braden remarked, highlighting the tension and fear gripping the community. She described the harrowing experience of watching the fire's plume from a nearby Dairy Queen and preparing for potential further evacuations.

Fire management teams employed bulldozers and specialized equipment to construct containment lines around the fire perimeter. Additionally, La Pine High School served as a temporary refuge for evacuees, while the La Pine Rodeo Grounds accommodated livestock and small animals.

As firefighting efforts continued with aerial support from helicopters and planes dropping fire retardants and water, residents remained on high alert, ready to evacuate again if necessary. The situation underscored the ongoing challenges posed by wildfires in the region and the community's resilience in the face of natural disasters.

Key Takeaways:

• Darlene 3 wildfire near Bend, Oregon, grows to 4 square miles.
• Evacuation orders affect 1,100 homes amid fears of structural damage.
• Firefighters achieve 30% containment but face challenges from forecasted winds.
• Local shelters, including La Pine High School, assist evacuated residents.
• Residents remain vigilant as firefighting efforts continue with aerial support.