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Alder Springs Fire Explodes to 1,500 Acres, Forces ‘Go Now’ Evacuations Near Crooked River Ranch

Tyler James
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Alder Springs Fire

A fast-moving wildfire erupted Monday afternoon in Jefferson County, marking the first large fire of the season in Central Oregon—and it’s already demanding serious attention. Burning near Alder Springs in the Crooked River National Grassland, the Alder Springs Fire quickly ballooned to an estimated 1,500 acres by early evening, torching dry scrubland and juniper in the rugged, remote terrain northwest of Redmond.

By late afternoon, Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders were issued for parts of Crooked River Ranch, including areas north of the Deschutes County Line, east of Wychus Creek, and west of Crooked River Ranch, stopping just south of one half mile north of river milepost 122 Deschutes.

Evacuation Zones & Emergency Shelters

If you’re in the fire’s path, here’s what to know:

  • Level 3 (Go Now): Northwest Crooked River Ranch, and land within the boundaries noted above.
  • Level 2 (Be Set): The west side of Crooked River Ranch and public lands just south of Alder Springs.
  • Level 1 (Be Ready): Eastern Crooked River Ranch, Lake Billy Chinook public lands, and parts of Deschutes County, including NW Steelhead Falls Drive, NW Dove Drive, NW Quail Road, and areas off Holmes Road and Lower Bridge Way.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to sign up for Everbridge alerts to receive real-time evacuation notices.

A temporary evacuation shelter is now open at Highland Baptist Church in Redmond (3100 SW Highland Ave.), and the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center is accommodating animal evacuations. Additionally, Over the Edge Taphouse in Crooked River Ranch has become a staging site for evacuees with animals—though you’ll need to bring your own portable corrals, the sheriff’s office said.

Expect power outages in both Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation areas, as Pacific Power proactively shut down lines to prevent additional fire starts.

This is no small response. Fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are on the front lines, joined by a growing army of resources: four engines, two 20-person hand crews, smokejumpers, rappelers, a water tender, and bulldozers. Aircraft, including helicopters and air tankers, have been hammering the blaze from above since Monday afternoon.

A specialized piece of equipment known as a skidgeon is also being deployed—designed to tackle terrain that most vehicles can’t reach. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will take command of the firefighting operation at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

“This is the one that is going to start letting people here know—in Jefferson, Deschutes, and Crook counties—that we are officially in fire season,” said Kassiy Kern, public information officer for Central Oregon Fire Management Service.

Stay Informed, Stay Ready

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has already deployed multiple structural protection task forces and a Red Incident Management Team to support local crews. According to officials, this is the second major mobilization in just one week due to wildfire activity.

“The conditions we are seeing across Oregon are extremely concerning, especially in early June,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “It only takes a spark to cause a disaster, so be wildfire aware.”

With conditions this dry so early in the season, this fire could be a preview of what’s to come. If you’re in the area or have friends or family in Central Oregon, stay alert, check local evacuation maps, and follow instructions from emergency officials.

Written By Tyler James

Tyler James was born in Oregon and founded That Oregon Life in 2013 after finding peace and a renewed sense of purpose in the state’s forests, mountains, and coastline. What started as a personal connection to the outdoors became a way to help others discover new places, support local businesses, and appreciate Oregon’s quirks. He writes about local history, outdoor adventures, good food, and the occasional bit of satire, or whatever catches his attention before the coffee wears off.

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