Wind-driven wildfire spreads near popular central Oregon vacation spot and prompts evacuations

A wildfire in Oregon’s high desert, near the popular vacation destination of Bend, grew rapidly Wednesday, and officials urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor.

The wind-driven Darlene 3 wildfire was just outside city limits of La Pine, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Bend, and grew to nearly 4 square miles (10 square kilometers).

Video taken Tuesday showed a huge plume of thick smoke billowing behind homes, strip malls and grocery stores. Officials set up an evacuation center at a local high school and were working to get horses and other animals out of the area.

“We’re doing much better than we were yesterday,” Geoff Wullschlager, city manager of La Pine, said Wednesday.

Firefighters were able to build a defense around the fire overnight, and fire managers listed the blaze at 30% contained Wednesday.

The concern, however, was stronger winds forecasted for later Wednesday, which again could fan the fire.

Evacuation alerts were sent to 1,100 homes and businesses Tuesday, said Lt. Jayson Janes of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. Those orders remained in effect Wednesday, Central Oregon Fire Info said. Janes said about 50-60 people sought refuge at a local high school serving as an evacuation center.

It was not known whether any structures had burned.

Jenny Braden didn’t have to go far to see the plume rising on the outskirts of La Pine. All she had to do was walk outside her house, where the swell of smoke was visible at the end of her street.

When she and her mother received an evacuation notice, they grabbed their four cats, a few personal items and left the house.

They then “spent the next few hours at Dairy Queen, watching the fire grow,” she said by text to The Associated Press on Wednesday. They went to a shelter, where they were informed their evacuation level wasn't meant for immediate displacement and they could go home if they wanted.

They did but were focused on the fire all night in case they had to move quickly.

They have never had to evacuate before, but there were many close calls in the last several years, Braden said.

“This is first that was so close, so quickly, and at a level two,” she said. “It’s super scary!”

Braden was working from home Wednesday, distracted by helicopters and airplanes flying overhead, dropping retardant and water on the fire.

“We’re keeping an eye out, packed more things and keeping the cats in the living room just in case we need to head out again,” she said.

Central Oregon Fire Management Service firefighters used dozers, or heavy construction equipment adapted to battle wildfires, to establish control lines around the blaze.

La Pine High School was serving as a temporary evacuation point while La Pine Rodeo Grounds was hosting a livestock and small animal shelter.

TV station KTVZ reported that several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds and trails had been evacuated and closed.

La Pine is about 192 miles (309 kilometers) south of Portland.

The fire is among the latest dangerous ones in the U.S.. In New Mexico, thousands fled their homes last week as two fast-moving wildfires approached their village. Two people were killed, and officials have estimated around 1,500 structures were destroyed or damaged.

Search and rescue crews cleared more properties this week in the areas of Ruidoso, the mountain community that was hit hardest by the flames. Authorities confirmed Wednesday during a public meeting that 1,300 structures were searched and that no human remains were found.

Mayor Lynn Crawford also said the list of residents who had been unaccounted for was now at zero.

In the central area of California, a new group of three large wildfires and several smaller ones covered nearly 11 square miles (28 square kilometers) in rural eastern Fresno County, with 20% containment. The Fresno June Lightning Complex was ignited in rugged foothills as remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto flowed across the state Monday afternoon.

“We had over a thousand lightning strikes to hit the county,” Dustin Hail, the Cal Fire unit chief, said at a briefing, adding that other fires that have not yet shown themselves could emerge over several days.

Several areas were under evacuation orders or warnings, and a shelter was set up at a college.

Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska. Also contributing were AP writers John Antczak in Los Angeles, Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska.

In this June 25, 2024, image provided by the Oregon State Fire Marshal, a Jefferson County Fire and EMS vehicle is seen as smoke rises from a wildfire near La Pine, Ore. The wildfire in Oregon's high desert, near the popular vacation destination of Bend, grew rapidly Wednesday and officials urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Oregon State Fire Marshal via AP)

In this image provided by Jenny Braden, smoke rises from a wildfire on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in La Pine, Ore. The wildfire near the popular vacation destination of Bend, is growing rapidly. Officials on Wednesday urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Jenny Braden via AP)

In this image provided by Jenny Braden, smoke rises from a wildfire on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in La Pine, Ore. The wildfire near the popular vacation destination of Bend, is growing rapidly. Officials on Wednesday urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Jenny Braden via AP).

In this image provided by Jenny Braden, smoke rises from a wildfire on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in La Pine, Ore. The wildfire near the popular vacation destination of Bend, is growing rapidly. Officials on Wednesday urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Jenny Braden via AP)

In this image provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon, smoke rises from a wildfire on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in La Pine, Ore. The wildfire near the popular vacation destination of Bend, is growing rapidly. Officials on Wednesday urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Capt. William Bailey/Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon via AP)

In this image provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon. smoke rises from a wildfire on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in La Pine, Ore. The wildfire near the popular vacation destination of Bend, is growing rapidly. Officials on Wednesday urged the continued evacuations of hundreds of homes in the area best known for its microbreweries, hiking, river rafting and skiing on nearby Mount Bachelor. (Capt. William Bailey/Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon via AP)

The remains of a structure destroyed by the Apache Fire as it burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Firefighters mop up as the Apache Fire burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Firefighters mop up as the Apache Fire burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Firefighters mop up as the Apache Fire burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Dogs watch through the fence of a property burned by the Apache Fire in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The remains of a structure destroyed by the Apache Fire as it burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024.According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The remains of a structure destroyed by the Apache Fire as it burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A helicopter drops water on the Apache Fire as it burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A firefighter uses a hose while a helicopter drops water as the Apache Fire burns in Palermo, Calif., on Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2024. According to Cal Fire, more than a dozen new fires sparked by lightning. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The Apache Fire burns in Butte County, Calif. Monday, June 24, 2024. Improved weather conditions aided firefighters Tuesday as they battled the rural northern California wildfire. (Cal Fire via AP)

The Apache Fire burns in Butte County, Calif. Monday, June 24, 2024. Improved weather conditions aided firefighters Tuesday as they battled the rural northern California wildfire. (Cal Fire via AP)

In this photo provided by the Deschutes County Sherriff's Office, smoke rises from a wildfire near La Pine, Ore., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Gusty winds fueled a rapidly growing wildfire just outside the central Oregon community of La Pine and prompted evacuations. (Sgt. Kyle Kalambach/Deschutes County Sherriff's Office via AP)

Smoke from a wildfire rises on a road near La Pine, Ore., Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The fire prompted mandatory evacuations in the small town in central Oregon and was growing rapidly in hot, dry conditions. (Jim Pharris via AP)

In this photo provided by the Deschutes County Sherriff's Office, smoke rises from a wildfire near La Pine, Oregon, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Gusty winds fueled a rapidly growing wildfire just outside the central Oregon community of La Pine and prompted evacuations. (Sgt. Kyle Kalambach/Deschutes County Sherriff's Office via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Macklin Celebrini headlined an NHL draft by going first overall to the San Jose Sharks on a night hockey and Las Vegas royalty mixed company under the visual spectacle the Sphere on Friday night.

French-Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion and longtime boxing announcer Michael Buffer shared the stage with the likes of former Sharks star Joe Thornton and rookie of the year Connor Bedard by announcing the selections to provide the event a true Vegas flair.

And to top it off, the newly established Utah Hockey Club leaned on NHL pedigree in making Kelowna center Tij Iginla the franchise’s first selection with the No. 6 pick. Iginla is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, who spent much of his career in Calgary.

Celebrini becomes a foundational piece for the Sharks and his selection came as no surprise after the 18-year-old became just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player. He did so as the nation’s youngest player, too, finishing second with 34 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games.

The 6-foot, 200-pound player from North Vancouver, British Columbia, already has ties to the Bay Area. Celebrini played for the Junior Sharks program after his father, Rick, was hired to be the Golden State Warriors’ sports medicine director.

“Just a surreal feeling,” Celebrini said in becoming the Sharks’ first No. 1 overall pick. “I’ve dreamed about this moment ever since I was a kid, and for it to come true, it’s just an amazing feeling.”

Celebrini was undecided on whether he will return to BU for a second year, but he deepens a talented prospect pool on a Sharks team in the midst of its longest playoff drought, now spanning five years.

The Chicago Blackhawks took Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov of Belarus at No. 2., with his name announced by Bedard, the No. 1 pick last year. This marked the third draft to have college players to go 1-2, and first since 2021 when Michigan teammates Owen Power and Matty Beniers were chosen first and second.

Levshunov was the fourth overall player from Belarus selected in the first round of the NHL draft, and earliest selected after defenseman Ruslan Salei went ninth to Anaheim in 1996.

The draft was filled with surprise guests such as Dion, who took the podium to announce her hometown Montreal Canadiens taking Russian forward Ivan Demidov at No. 5. Buffer, who is from Philadelphia, used his “Are you ready to rumble” tag-line in taking the stage to announce the Flyers choosing Ontario Hockey League center Jett Luchanko at No. 13.

And there were several surprise picks, the biggest involving the Anaheim Ducks’ selection of Oshawa forward Beckett Sennecke at No. 3.

Sennecke could be seen mouthing “Oh, my God,” to his father upon hearing former Ducks star Scott Niedermayer announce the pick. Sennecke was ranked 12th among North American players by NHL Central Scouting after finishing with 27 goals and 68 points in 63 games last season in the OHL.

“I just said, `Oh, my God. Oh, my God.′ And to my mom, I said, `Oh, my God. Oh, my God.′” Sennecke said. “And then I saw my mom and my sister and they all started crying so, yeah, pretty emotional.”

While Sennecke was surprised, he joked about his agent keeping the news a secret after learning of the Ducks’ plans earlier in the day.

Columbus followed by selecting Medicine Hat center Cayden Lindstrom at No. 4.

Utah, which relocated form Arizona to Salt Lake City, two months ago selected Iginla, ending any chance of Calgary landing the son of their former star at No. 9.

“It’s so unpredictable,” said Jarome Iginla who was selected 11th overall by Dallas in the 1995 draft before being traded months later to Calgary. “Every city’s a great city, but Utah, we’re excited. ... We’re very happy for him. He’s worked hard, and it’s a big day.”

The Iginla’s become the sixth father-son duo taken in the top 15 of the draft.

Four defensemen were selected among the top 10 picks — capped by New Jersey picking Russian Anton Silayev, who is listed at 6-foot-7, and 211 pounds.

Celebrini’s selection was announced by Thornton. The No. 1 player drafted by Boston in 1997, Thornton opened by saying, “The San Jose Sharks are proud to select from Boston University,” before briefly pausing with a smile, and then said Celebrini’s name and pointing to him in the stands.

“I’m super excited he made the pick,” Celebrini said. “Obviously, a Sharks legend and an NHL legend, so that was real exciting.”

The draft featured the added spectacle of being held at the year-old Sphere, a globe-shaped venue over-looking the Las Vegas strip and featuring video screens on the inside and outside of its structure.

The 32 teams were gathered at tables beneath the wrap-around screen covering almost three-quarters of the curved wall broadcasting scenes from the draft to the sold-out crowd of 14,220 in the multi-deck facility. The draft opened with the screen featuring pictures of more than 100 of the eligible prospects.

A small stage was erected in the middle of the floor, where NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was joined by teams to announce the selections.

There remained familiar draft moments, beyond the glitz, glamor and 100-degree temperature outside.

Bettman was booed upon taking the podium. Vegas fans also booed when Pacific Division rivals took the stage, and cheered when it was the Golden Knights’ turn to select center Trevor Connelly at No. 19.

Connelly, ranked sixth by Central Scouting among North American prospects, had his stock fall due to questions involving his past. Two years ago, he poste a picture on social media of a friend posing in front of a collection of building blocks formed in the shape of a swastika. Connelly apologized and done his best through volunteer work and diversity training.

With trade-talk buzz circulating around the likes of Toronto’s Mitch Marner, Columbus’ Patrik Laine and Carolina’s Martin Necas, the only deals completed on the floor involved draft selections.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

A screen is seen before the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Sphere in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Cayden Lindstrom, center, poses after being selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Beckett Sennecke, center left, poses after being selected by the Anaheim Ducks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Artyom Levshunov, center, puts on a jersey after being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Artyom Levshunov, center, poses after being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Ring announcer Michael Buffer helps announce the selection of Jett Luchanko by the Philadelphia Flyers during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, left, welcomes singer Celine Dion onto the stage during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. Dion helped announce the selection of Ivan Demidov by the Montreal Canadiens. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Ivan Demidov, center, poses, after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. The announcement was made by singer Celine Dion, right. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Macklin Celebrini, second from left, poses after being selected by San Jose Sharks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

Macklin Celebrini arrives for hockey's NHL Awards, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)