Wildfire sparks in Central Oregon Sunday afternoon near Clarno

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A wildfire that sprang up in Central Oregon Sunday afternoon has burned nearly 2000 acres and threatened a number of structures in Wasco County.

The Butte Creek Fire began around 2:30 p.m. about 9 miles north of Clarno, officials said. At this time, no evacuations have been ordered. The fire is burning through grass, brush and scattered timber in the area, and the cause is still under investigation.

Up-to-date information can be found on the Central Oregon Fire Info website.

Closer to Portland, fire crews said they are already battling brush fires as the 2025 fire season begins. Lt. Ethan Dawson-Hurley with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue said their outlook “for the season is that it will be dry, and we could have some fire activity.”

On May 7, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek warned that “by July and August, we will experience above average severity that will culminate in September and October as we reach peak by the danger.”

Last year, Oregon saw a record-breaking 1.9 million acres burned.

“With the dry May that we’ve had, we have had some brush fires,” Dawson-Hurley told KOIN 6 News.

All TVF&R member are undergoing wildland fire retraining and the specialty team is prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice.

“Those individuals are ready to go within 15 to 20 minutes,” he said. “It means a lot to be able to do that as well, because we know that if we have something to that extent here in our area, then they’re gonna have our back as well.”

And homeowners should get ready, too. Dead or dry brush within 30 feet of your home should be removed, sign up for local fire alerts, create an evacuation plan and pack a bag with medicine, food and other essentials.

“We preach the importance of being accountable for your property and your home and cleaning up that area so that fire spread isn’t super dangerous,” Dawson-Hurley said.