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Fire forces evacuations in Central Oregon
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 | No comments posted.
BEND (AP) — A wildfire burning in the Deschutes National Forest forced residents in the community of Crescent Lake Junction to evacuate.
The 600-acre blaze also closed a 12-mile stretch of state Highway 58.
Virginia Gibbons of the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Prineville said strong winds caused the Royce Butte fire to blow across retardant and bulldozer lines late Tuesday afternoon.
She said Crescent Lake Junction was evacuated as well as nearby campgrounds, the East Odell Lodge, the Diamond Peak subdivision and summer homes at Crescent and Odell lakes.
In all, about 120 people had to leave.
Shop owner Jon Ditgen witnessed the large flames, saying the fire erupted when 40 mph winds arrived.
“You could feel the wind, you could hear the wind, and the sound of the flames sounded like turbo jets taking off,” Ditgen said. “And it fanned the whole fire and just exploded.”
Tavern owner Maury Anderson said the fire spread in a matter of minutes, and his business was lucky to not get burned.
“I’ve been up here for 17 years,” he said. “I never had anything come this close.”
The fire erupted amid a warning for hot, dry weather that can bring extreme fire behavior. Gibbons said the blaze is believed to be human caused, and it is under investigation.
A Red Cross shelter has been set up at the community center in Crescent.
The 600-acre blaze also closed a 12-mile stretch of state Highway 58.
Virginia Gibbons of the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Prineville said strong winds caused the Royce Butte fire to blow across retardant and bulldozer lines late Tuesday afternoon.
She said Crescent Lake Junction was evacuated as well as nearby campgrounds, the East Odell Lodge, the Diamond Peak subdivision and summer homes at Crescent and Odell lakes.
In all, about 120 people had to leave.
Shop owner Jon Ditgen witnessed the large flames, saying the fire erupted when 40 mph winds arrived.
“You could feel the wind, you could hear the wind, and the sound of the flames sounded like turbo jets taking off,” Ditgen said. “And it fanned the whole fire and just exploded.”
Tavern owner Maury Anderson said the fire spread in a matter of minutes, and his business was lucky to not get burned.
“I’ve been up here for 17 years,” he said. “I never had anything come this close.”
The fire erupted amid a warning for hot, dry weather that can bring extreme fire behavior. Gibbons said the blaze is believed to be human caused, and it is under investigation.
A Red Cross shelter has been set up at the community center in Crescent.
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