Larch Creek Fire grows to over 5 square miles, Level 3 'Go Now' evacuations issued for parts of Wasco County

A Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice has been issued for parts of Wasco County after the Larch Creek Fire grew to over 1,500 acres on Tuesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation notice has been issued for parts of Wasco County after the Larch Creek Fire, which is 16 miles south of The Dalles grew to 6,000 acres — more than 9 square miles — on Tuesday.

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The Level 3 evacuation orders as of 7 p.m. apply from Clark Miller Road east to J Hix Rd, north to Kingley-Friend Market Rd., and south to Badger Creek Rd.

Level 2 "Be Set" warnings have been issued for McCorkle Rd., south to Happy Ridge Rd, east to J Hix Rd, and west to FS Rd 2700.

Those in Tygh Valley, Wamic and Pine Hollow are currently under Level 1 "Be Ready orders.

"The Wasco County Fairgrounds is a temporary designated evacuation point for livestock. A Red Cross Evacuation Shelter is opening at Maupin High School," officials said.

“The heat wave that has gripped Oregon significantly increased the fire danger across the state. The continued hot, dry conditions, and gusty winds are a dangerous combination,” Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema added. “I am asking everyone to do what they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.”

On Tuesday night, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

Officials say the fire started around 2 p.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story.