Larch Creek fire near Dufur burns over 18,000 hectares, now 81% contained

DUFUR, Ore. (KTVZ) — New fires are burning in Oregon. Fires that started a few days ago are almost completely contained. One example is the 45,000-acre Larch Creek fire in Wasco County, which is now 81% contained. Damages so far have totaled $15.6 million.

Larch Creek Fire – Update Friday Evening July 19

Dufur, Ore. – This is the latest update from Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 for the Larch Creek fire.

During the day, crews continued to mop up to make the fire safe and reduce residual heat and smoke. Hoses and pumps that are no longer needed along the fire’s footprint are returned to the cache.

Infrared imaging will be used tonight to help firefighters find and extinguish hidden heat sources.

Tomorrow morning, the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 will transfer command of the fire to a local Type 3 team. The Type 3 organization shadowed ODF Team 2 today and gained additional knowledge about the fire. The transfer of command is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 6 a.m.

Warm and very dry weather is expected for the weekend, with temperatures in the tens of degrees.

The Farm Service Agency of The Dalles offers emergency assistance programs for areas affected by the fire. Details about these programs can be found through FSA staff contacts: www.wascoswcd.org/wasco-county-farm-service-agency-staff

Evacuation orders were lifted today by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuation details are available at: www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff

FIRE AT A GLANCE
Estimated size: 18,286 hectares
Containment: 81%
Cause: Man-made
Estimated cost: $15,600,000
Total staff: 217
Hand ploughs: 6
Engines: 13
Water trucks: 2
Bulldozers: 2
Helicopters: 3
Incident Command:
Matt Howard, incident commander
Craig Pettinger, Deputy Incident Commander