LA PINE, OR --Firefighters made good progress on the Darlene 3 fire Wednesday just outside La Pine. As of Thursday morning, it's estimated at 3,614 acres and remains 30% contained. Officials say crews successfully lined and completed firing operations on the east side of the fire, as it grew toward Finley Butte. 

Unified command took control of firefighting efforts on Darlene 3 early Wednesday morning. Incident Commander Robert Newey says the fire started Tuesday afternoon, "It rapidly increased in size from the start, from heavy, decadent fuels aligned with wind." He says local crews responded quickly, "We had structure groups across Central Oregon and then also wildland resources from Central Oregon attacking the fire. We had air resources coming in from Redmond that consisted of Type 1 helicopters and numerous air tankers delivering retardant." However, he adds, "There are a lot of unburned fuels throughout the area."

So far, there are no reports of structures burned, but other infrastructure is at risk, "The BPA powerline and also Midstate Powerline were impacted with short power outages, and then also impacts to the water supply of both La Pine and firefighting efforts."

Damon Schultz, with Operations, says the first state resources responded late Tuesday, "We arrived with two task forces. We immediately deployed them both in the area of the city of La Pine and in the area of Newberry Estates. They went out immediately and started assessing and taking a look at the structures, and doing a little bit of light prep where they can, to keep the fire from reaching those structures." He also praised the initial attack by local crews, "That we have control lines is actually pretty good for this. They did an amazing job, with La Pine Rural [Fire Protection District] being assisted by almost all the other Central Oregon fire departments."

Deschutes County Emergency Manager Nathan Garibay told County Commissioners Wednesday morning. "At this point, it’s so far stayed in undeveloped areas." Commissioner Patti Adair says she reached out to U.S. Representatives Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer for help, "The more resources we can get on the fire now, before those winds kick up, is incredibly crucial." But that’s little consolation for people living in La Pine. "The wind is scary," Kris Potter tells KBND News, "I live way back off that fire evacuation zone, in a back corner. And I’m watching my trees wave around in the wind. And every time I see it, it makes me pray harder."

She says her office is closed because half of her team lives in the evacuation zone. "Air quality right now at my house: perfectly fine. But I guarantee you at one of my coworker's house, she’s in the Level 3 zone, and she’s sent in pictures and she’s like, ‘we can’t breathe.’" Some parts of town have experienced falling ash. 

Potter organized a spaghetti feed Wednesday night for evacuees, firefighters and anyone else in need of a hot meal, "The goal is just to bring this community together. That’s the way this community is; we come together." She says around two dozen people are staying at the temporary shelter inside La Pine High School. Evacuated livestock are housed at the La Pine Fairgrounds. "We see people dropping off hay and animal feed for the evacuated animals. I heard that there’s people standing on corners with thank you signs," says Potter, "So, that is the community feeling right now; and it is togetherness and to help."

Photo: Darlene 3 Fire, 06/26/24; courtesy of the Central Oregon Fire Management Service