Firefighting resources from around the state headed to the La Pine area earlier this week to help battle the Darlene 3 Fire in Deschutes County. Among those on site is Rich Saalsaa, Philomath Fire and Rescue’s deputy fire chief.
Saalsaa was deployed in his capacity as public information officer for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Incident Management Team. He is working in La Pine, a town of more than 2,500 people, to provide information about the firefighting efforts, evacuation orders and sheltering locations.
The fire ignited Tuesday afternoon and within five hours had grown to more than 1,200 acres.
“As of this morning, 3,889 acres have burned and the fire is 40% contained,” Saalsaa reported. “A cooler weather pattern has helped in slowing the growth of the fire and crews gained an upper hand yesterday after erratic winds, low humidity and higher temperatures contributed to rapid fire growth in the previous days.”
Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the wildfire, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources at the scene.
The fire is located only about a mile outside of La Pine and as a result, evacuation orders and warnings were issued. The Red Cross opened a shelter at a local high school for those who needed assistance. Six task forces were assigned to protect structures in La Pine if threatened.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
“As conditions improved, they will transition out the state team in the coming days,” said Saalsaa, who added that he anticipates returning to Philomath this weekend based on the weather forecast.
Besides Saalsaa, no other Benton County resources were deployed to the fire. In all, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office reported 335 personnel, 38 engines, five hand crews, eight water tenders and multiple dozers and aircraft at the scene.
