Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
Due to fire activity associated with the Devil’s Half Acre fire, the White River Falls State Park and the Oak Springs Fish Hatchery, located on the west side of the lower Deschutes River, have been evacuated. Heavy helicopters continue to dip water out of the Deschutes River for fire suppression purposes. Developed recreation sites located on the east side of the river remain open at this time, as is Deschutes River.
The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Mark Rapp has been ordered and was scheduled to take command of the fire incident at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Command has been established at the Dufur School.
A recommendation was made to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office to prepare affected residents for a potential evacuation. At this stage, residents should consider gathering up any valuable papers and non-replaceable items, medications, and an overnight bag with personal effects as a preparatory action. The evacuation preparations are directed at residents of Maupin, and developed recreation sites on the east side of the Deschutes River from White River south to Maupin, including Sandy Beach, Oak Springs, Lower Blue Hole, Blue Hole Grey Eagle, Oasis and Maupin and the BLM Maupin Visitor Center.
Note to pilots and news media – a Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect at 5,000 feet above sea level in a five-mile radius around the incident.
The Bureau of Land Management has closed several recreation areas affected by the fire. The order listing specific sites is found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/documents/20100819-blmclosureofpublicwaterwayandcampgrounds.pdf