Growing wildfire in central Oregon's Deschutes National Forest triggers evacuations near homes
The Darlene 3 Fire has sent smoke and flame columns billowing into the air as it burns in the Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon just outside the town of La Pine, about 30 miles south of Bend.
Crews race to contain fast-moving wildfire in central Oregon
The Darlene 3 fire has burned more than 2,400 acres in the Deschutes National Forest about 30 miles from Bend, Oregon. (Video courtesy: HAZE Media via Storyful)
LA PINE, Ore. – A wildfire exploded to life Tuesday evening, rapidly growing to over 2,400 acres and forcing some evacuations of campgrounds and homes.
The Darlene 3 Fire has sent smoke and flame columns billowing into the air as it burns in the Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon just outside the town of La Pine, about 30 miles south of Bend.
![Darlene 3 Fire Photo]()
Image 1 of 3Wildfire smoke billows over the Deschutes National Forecast as the Darlene 3 Fire burns on June 25, 2024. (Deschutes County Sheriff's Office)
![Darlene 3 Fire Photo]()
Image 2 of 3Wildfire smoke billows over the Deschutes National Forecast as the Darlene 3 Fire burns on June 25, 2024. (Deschutes County Sheriff's Office)
![Darlene 3 Fire Photo]()
Image 3 of 3A wildfire lights up the evening skies near La Pine, Oregon on June 26, 2024. (Central Oregon Fire)
Emergency crews began issuing urgent Level 3 "GO NOW" evacuations about an hour after the fire was spotted for some residents and campgrounds on the east side of Highway 97 just on the outskirts of La Pine.
The evacuation areas grew through the evening as the fire spread, at one point covering miles along the east side of Highway 97.
Wildfire burns in Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon
The Darleen 3 wildfire has grown to over 2,400 acres as it burns forest lands near La Pine, Oregon.
Fire officials later downgraded some of the mandatory Level 3 evacuations to a Level 2 "GET SET" closer to La Pine on Wednesday morning, but the fire is currently only at 30% containment, scorching 2,415 acres so far.
"Focus today is keeping the fire within its current footprint," Central Oregon Fire officials posted on social media Wednesday morning. "Winds are expected to test lines."
A shelter has been established at La Pine High School. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act which allows for more state resources to head to the region and help with the firefighting efforts.
The Deschutes National Forest is home to 1.6 million acres of land and is a popular year-round recreation spot.