The Alder Springs Fire in Central Oregon has burned an estimated 3,442 acres and remains 0% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to fire officials. The fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, as well as areas protected by Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue and the Lower Bridge Rangeland Fire Protection Association.
More than 370 personnel are assigned to the incident, including eight Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces made up of 110 structural firefighters from across the state. These firefighters are supporting the 262 wildland personnel on the ground working to protect homes and critical infrastructure.
Crews made progress Tuesday, aided by favorable weather. Burnout operations on the southern edge successfully stopped the fire’s advance in that area. Aircraft, including heavy helicopters and air tankers, supported ground crews by cooling hot spots and reinforcing containment lines.
On the north side of the fire, where it crossed the Deschutes River in rugged terrain, firefighters built direct fire lines and worked both sides of the river to secure the edge. Night crews held the fire lines and continued mop-up operations, while Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces provided structure protection and extinguished hot spots near homes.
On Wednesday, structural task forces will continue assessments and mop-up around homes and other buildings. Wildland crews are focused on strengthening containment lines and securing steep drainages, with aerial support expected throughout the day. Fire managers are preparing for stronger winds Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Community Meeting Tonight
A public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Terrebonne Community School Gym, 1199 B Ave., Terrebonne. Fire managers will provide updates on the fire, forecasted weather, current tactics, and answer community questions.
Evacuations
All evacuation levels issued by the Jefferson and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Offices remain in place. Current evacuation zones are:
- Level 3 (GO NOW): CR06, CR07, CRR8, CR10N, CR10S, CR11, CR12, CRPL2
- Level 2 (BE SET): CR02M, CR02N, CR02NW, CR02SW, CR09, and Deschutes Campground at Cove Palisades, including areas along the river and campground
- Level 1 (BE READY): CR02E, CR02NE, CR02SE, CR03M, CR03N, Lake Billy Chinook Public Lands 3, RED-101, RED-91, RED-92, and SIS-016
For the latest evacuation updates, visit:
A temporary evacuation point has been set up at Highland Baptist Church, 3100 SW Highland Ave., Redmond. A large animal shelter is available at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond.