Man allegedly fled police

A 33-year-old Madras man is at large after allegedly fleeing from police Wednesday when they attempted to arrest him south of Culver.

Malcolm Scott Harpole was located by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team as he was driving north of Redmond at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. When he reached an intersection off U.S. Highway 97 in Jefferson County, detectives surrounded the Ford F-250 he was driving and attempted to stop him on a fugitive arrest warrant from Deschutes County, according to a news release from the drug enforcement team.

Harpole drove around and up an embankment, nearly hitting an unmarked detective vehicle, according to police. He then drove east and south, eluding police and eventually striking a spike strip implemented by law enforcement.

Harpole continued at speeds up to 55 mph on two flat tires, according to police. He eventually stopped at the intersection of NE 45th Street and Walnut Road, where he ran away. Police were unable to locate Harpole.

The truck Harpole was driving had allegedly been stolen in Lane County in 2015, according to police. A motorcycle in the bed of the truck was allegedly stolen in Redmond this year.

Law enforcement agencies continued their search for Harpole on Thursday. His whereabouts were still unknown as of Thursday afternoon. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact 911 dispatch at 541-693-6911.

Burns to continue in the Ochocos

The U.S. Forest Service intends to resume planned burning in the Ochoco Mountains starting today.

At around 10:30 a.m., crews plan to ignite 150 acres along Forest Road 22 near Big Summit Prairie south of Mitchell, according to a news release. Earlier in the week, fire crews burned about 46 acres of containment lines in the same area.

Starting Monday, firefighters will begin work on approximately 800 acres of forestland about 18 miles northeast of Paulina. Burning is expected to continue for two to three days.

The two projects are intended to provide improved connectivity of sage grouse habitat and improved winter range for big game, while reducing the risk of large-scale wildfires.

— Bulletin staff reports