WASCO COUNTY, Ore. — The Larch Creek Fire continues to burn in Wasco County on Wednesday, with hot and dry conditions, along with 35 mile per hour wind gusts, making containing the fire a challenge for crews.
The fire started on Tuesday and had already burned over 7,100 acres by Wednesday morning.
“The fire started yesterday," said Gert Zoutendijk with the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office. "Since yesterday, it really... with the winds, and red flag warnings pushed it seven miles very quickly. There are a lot of grasslands that tend to burn when the wind is pushing it.”
Zoutendijk told KGW that six counties in the area were providing crews and resources to help contain the fire, including crews from Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties.
READ MORE: Wildfire coverage from KGW News
Resources from the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office (OSFM) have also arrived after Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act. Dozens of homes near Tygh Valley were placed under a Level 3 order, which calls on people to leave immediately.
Zoutendijk told KGW that over 40 structures were in the direct line of the fire as of Wednesday morning.
The main concern throughout the day on Wednesday remained the high winds.
“With this rapid wind, it can be two miles away, and a few minutes later, it could be right at their feet,” said Zoutendijk.
Planes and helicopters could be seen dropping water on parts of the fire that approached Highway 197 just north of Tygh Valley. Highway 197 is fully closed between the junction with Shadybrook Road in Tygh Valley at milepost 33 to Dufur Gap at milepost 36, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) said Wednesday evening.
KGW spoke with a Tygh Valley resident who spent the day Tuesday moving valuables from a family home in the path of the fire.
“It’s very concerning for sure, and I’m a little worried, but I have full confidence in our local fire and all the agencies around,” said Aimee Hovis.
The Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office says the fire was human caused but don’t know exactly how it occurred as of Wednesday afternoon.