The first large fire of the 2024 wildfire season in Central Oregon erupted over the weekend close to the town of Maupin in Wasco County, on the west side of the Deschutes River.

The Long Bend Fire, burning 2 miles southwest of Maupin, had consumed 1,024 acres, mainly on Bureau of Land Management land and private lands, Central Oregon Fire Management Service reported Monday morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Crews from multiple agencies are attacking the fire. Helicopters, engines and water tenders have been deployed as well, along with a 20-person hotshot crew. Nine wildland firefighters were shuttled across the Deschutes River to the fire by a whitewater raft.

“It’s not uncommon to use rafts or jet boats to shuttle firefighters across river corridors or other bodies of water,” said Kaitlyn Webb, a spokesperson for the Deschutes National Forest. “We will use boats if they are available and provide quicker access to a fire.”

The Long Bend fire had 5% containment as of Monday morning.

On Sunday, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” notice to Maupin residents living in areas close to the fire. An evacuation order was issued for Harpham Flat Campground and Wapinitia Campground. Boaters in the area have been asked to exercise caution as helicopters may be dipping water out of the river.

Updates are available on centraloregonfire.org