July 10, 2024 6:40 a.m.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four structural task forces and its green incident management team to the Larch Creek Fire burning in Wasco County, 16 miles south of the Dalles.

An OSFM release said the fire sparked between Dufur and Tygh Valley around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday and has quickly grown. The fire was estimated at 3,500 acres, late Tuesday. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has levels 1,2, and 3 evacuations in place.

The area remains under a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather. On Tuesday, temperatures reached 107 degrees. Gusty winds are expected to continue on Wednesday.

Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema said, “The heat wave that has gripped Oregon significantly increased the fire danger across the state. The continued hot, dry conditions, and gusty winds are a dangerous combination”. Medema said, “I am asking everyone to do what they can to prevent sparking a wildfire”.

Tuesday night, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

For the latest on evacuations in the fire area, follow the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff