LA PINE, Ore. (AP) — A wildfire in Oregon’s high desert, near the popular vacation destination of Bend, grew rapidly Wednesday and officials urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. The wind-driven Darlene 3 wildfire was burning on the outskirts of La Pine, about 30 miles south of Bend, and grew to nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers).
Officials said it was 30% contained, Central Oregon Fire Information posted on the social media site X. The focus for firefighters Wednesday was to keep the fire within its current footprint. Video showed a huge plume of thick black-and-grey smoke billowing behind homes, strip malls and grocery stores.
Officials set up an evacuation center at a local high school and were working to get horses and other animals out of the area. Evacuation alerts were sent to 1,100 homes and businesses, said Lt. Jayson Janes of the Deschutes County Sherriff's Office.
He said about 50-60 people sought refuge at a local high school serving as an evacuation center. It was not known whether any structures had burned. Jodi Kerr was packing up her home decor and gifts store in La Pine so she could evacuate.
“It’s part of the risk of living in an area like this. It’s beautiful, but it’s wild,” said Kerr, the owner of Meandering Maker Mercantile. She said it’s hard to think about the people who’ve spent years building businesses .