The Long Bend Fire, which ignited this past Saturday in Wasco County, has swelled to an imposing 1,000 acres. Central Oregon Fire officials indicated the fire's rapid growth on the west side of the Deschutes River, manifesting approximately four miles southwest of Maupin across multiple jurisdictions, including Bureau of Land Management and private properties. Despite the efforts of fire crews, the blaze remains 0% contained.
Ground crews have managed to tackle parts of the fire that are reachable, meanwhile, aircraft have lent their support to contain the fire's periphery. There's a silver lining as the fire approaches rim rock areas, which could serve as a natural barrier, bringing some hope of containment. In a statement obtained by KOIN, authorities noted "The fire is moving toward rim rock in some places where it will act as a natural holding feature."
The magnitude of the inferno was captured by Doug Lowell, a reporter for the South Wasco Times, who described the night sky's ominous glow, “looked like of the view of Portland seen from the West Hills, it was like the city lights of all of Portland were a lit and it was a fire burning sagebrush, grass, and juniper trees.” Central Oregon Fire Management has noted on social media that various entities, including the Juniper Flats Rural Fire Protection District, have been deployed to combat the northwest corner of the fire with significant resources. According to a KATU News interview, Lowell recounted the harrowing scene.
In response to the escalating severity, evacuation orders have escalated to a Level 2 'Get Set' status for nearby Harpham Flat and Wapinitia campgrounds as of 9 a.m. Boaters navigating the Deschutes River are cautioned to remain vigilant for helicopters dipping into the river for water to fight the flames. This critical safety information was relayed by KPTV, underscoring the importance for river users to be alert of the emergency operations underway.
