Flat Fire in central Oregon explodes to 18K acres

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Flat Fire, which started Thursday about 3 miles west of Lake Billy Chinook, has exploded to around 18,000 acres, is 0% contained and has prompted a variety of evacuation levels in two counties..

The Oregon State Fire Marshal invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to send more resources to help battle the blaze. As of Saturday afternoon, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said “resources and fire personnel are working around the clock to fight it.”

Flat Fire — Facebook page from Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Flat Fire — Facebook page from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations are in place for “everything east of SW Lower Bridge Road up to the Deschutes River” on the Crooked River Public Lands Two.

Level 2 “Be Set” evacuations are in place for everything west of SW Lower Bridge and north of the Deschutes River, officials said.

The entire Crooked River Ranch is at a Level One “Get Ready” evacuation, with CR 10N and CR11 still in Level 2.

All other evacuation levels in Jefferson County put in place Friday still remain in effect.

Jefferson County officials urged people in those areas to “use this time to load large animals. Currently, they can be housed at the Jefferson County Event Complex but you must remain with your animals 24/7 at this time.”

Additionally, “Highland Baptist is set up as an evacuation site for people at 3100 SW Highland Ave, Redmond,” officials said, urging people to “check on the elderly and the vulnerable in your neighborhoods.”

Deschutes County

Deschutes County has an extensive list of Level 3 evacuations:

• Between Wilt Rd MP 4 West to Stevens Canyon North to the County Line
• Whychus Canyon Estates south to Camp Polk Rd
• Both sides of Wilt Road north to the Deschutes/Jefferson County line
• Areas North and West of Holmes Road, North of milepost 5 to Lower Bridge Rd
• All of McKenzie Canyon Rd
• Panoramic Estates off of Camp Polk Road

Levels 1 and 2 evacuations are also listed on the Deschutes County/Flat Fire Facebook page.

Additionally, large animals have been offered shelter at Kerley Horse Center in Powell Butte.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.