BEND, Ore. — On Monday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies ordered Level 3 'GO NOW' and Level 2 'BE SET' evacuations after responding to a new wildfire near Bend, Oregon, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire broke out Monday around 4 p.m. southeast of Pine Mountain and has since grown to nearly 2,000 acres as of Monday night, reported by KGW sister station KTVZ. Wind and warm weather conditions have further spread existing wildfires in the area that have since been put out by firefighters around the Bend-Redmond area, KTVZ also reported.
As of 8 p.m. on Monday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said that the fire burning south of US Highway 20 remains active on all sides with extra resources being brought in to contain the fire, KTVZ reported.
Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations have been ordered west of Moffitt Road South of Highway 20 to Fox Butte Road. This includes public lands on and immediately surrounding Pine Mountain including Antelope Ridge and Kotzman Basin.
Level 2: 'Be Set' evacuations have been ordered south of Highway 20 west of Fox Butte Road north of the National Forest, east of Pine Mountain Road. In addition to South of Highway 20, west of Frederick Butte Road East of Moffitt Road.
The evacuation zones map is available here.
Several federal, local, state and rural fire protection agency engines, including two bulldozers, a hand crew, air attack plane, two retardant-dropping air tankers and a water-dropping Type 1 helicopter have been pulled in to put out the wildfire, according to KTVZ.
Here's what evacuation levels mean
Level 1 Notice - Be Ready: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. Evacuations at this time are voluntary.
Level 2 Notice - Be Set: This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready at a moment's notice. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Level 3 Notice - Go Now: Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately. Listen to local media and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.
