The wildfire that broke out in La Pine, Oregon, June 25 was reported as 100% contained as of Monday evening.
According to Central Oregon Fire Management Service, the Darlene 3 Fire threatened more than 1,000 structures last week and instigated a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation notice for areas East of Highway 97. Shortly after it started, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which brought together firefighting task forces from around the state to tackle containment.
The resources provided by the emergency declaration and the cooler weather made circumstances favorable for the fire’s suppression, according to Central Oregon Fire Info.
The Darlene 3 Fire is now 75% contained and remains at 3,889 acres.
— Central OR Fire Info (@CentralORFire) July 1, 2024
The COFMS Type 3 team will be working with the incoming Type 4 Incident Commander today, preparing to turn the fire back to the local unit tomorrow morning, July 2.#darlene3fire#thankyoufirefighters pic.twitter.com/kb4JjFCSir
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team demobilized and its members returned to their home units on Saturday. The COFMS said it plans to turn the fire back over to local units on Tuesday morning.
Firefighters will remain on site to mop up hotspots and prevent new starts in the area.
With a stretch of potential triple-digit temperatures looming around the corner, Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said wildfire risks are expected to increase.
“We all need to do our part to keep Oregon safe and enjoy a fun, fire-free Fourth of July,” she said in a statement.
Portland Fire and Rescue has recommended the public attend professional fireworks shows, as opposed to buying and using their own, which is banned within Portland city limits.
The ban, passed unanimously in 2022, came five years after the Eagle Creek Fire burned 50,000 acres. The fire was started when a 15-year-old boy set off and threw illegal fireworks into Eagle Creek Canyon.
The cause of the Darlene 3 Fire is still under investigation.