Fire strikes Larch Creek — again

DUFUR — On July 2, a new fire broke out near the same area as the 2024 Larch Creek fire, putting nearby residents who had gone through last year’s wildfire on edge. 

Initially called in around 3:50 p.m. just south of Dufur, the wildland blaze quickly ballooned to 92 acres thanks to bone-dry conditions and wind gusts, which pushed the flames into heavy brush and trees.

Dufur Fire and Ambulance Department arrived on-scene and immediately made calls for mutual aid from all nearby fire agencies. They were joined by the Oregon Department of Forestry and air support from two fire bosses based out of Dallesport.

Crews were able to quickly halt the forward progress of the fire, subsequently shifting into mop-up and monitoring for any flare-ups.

During the peak of the fire, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices to homes near Winslow Road, Heberlerin Road, east to Highway 197, south to Highway 197 and Dufur Gap Road, but those were finally lifted on July 4.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.