UPDATE 8 a.m. Wednesday: The Darlene 3 Fire grew to roughly 2,415  acres overnight and was 30% contained as of a 7:30 a.m., according to Central Oregon Fire Information, an interagency wildfire organization.

Level 3 “go now” evacuations are in place for the areas east of U.S. Highway 97 and south of Drafter Road, and south of Bassett Drive to state Highway 31.

Level 2 “be set” evacuation notice was issued for the area east of U.S. Highway 97 to the train tracks, from Reed Road south to Bassett Drive. 

---

State firefighting teams have been activated to assist local firefighting efforts on the Darlene 3 Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon near La Pine and prompted several Level 3 and Level 2 evacuation notices.

The teams, including the Oregon State Marshal’s Red Incident Management Team, were mobilized after Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Tuesday afternoon after the fire had grown to 250 acres in just two hours.

“This fire has quickly grown within the last few hours, pushed by gusty winds and high fire conditions. The Emergency Conflagration Act allows us to send the full power of the Oregon fire service to protect life and property,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “As we enter the hot and dry summer months, I am asking Oregonians to do everything they can to prevent wildfires.”

Resources will be coming in from Linn and Marion counties, and four Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces are set to arrive Wednesday morning.

A Level 3 “go now” evacuation area was in place for areas east of the railroad tracks, near Darlene Way and Ice Cave Road. A Level 2 “be set” evacuation notice was in place for areas east of U.S. Highway 97 and south of Rosland Pit. Level 1 “get ready” evacuations were issued for the area east of Highway 97 along Rosland Road, including Newberry Estates.

A temporary shelter was set up at La Pine High School, and all after school activities were canceled.

Air and ground resources were actively fighting the fire Tuesday afternoon.