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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A wildfire started Wednesday by a lightning strike near Little Valley, Ore. has exploded in size and, as of Thursday morning, is the largest in the state.

The Little Valley fire, burning two miles south of Little Valley, was first reported Wednesday morning following a series of thunderstorms that passed through the region.

The fire, which is burning grass and brush, is listed as 0% contained. There are some discrepancies in the total size. Some reports have it listed as 11,000 acres, other reports have it closer to 18,000 acres. Either number is significantly bigger than any other fire currently burning in the state.

According to officials, a few structures were threatened on Wednesday and there is no update if they are still standing.

Just south of the Little Valley fire, the Dry Lake fire which was also caused by lightning on Wednesday reached 1,000 acres with 0% contained.

To the west, the Long Bend fire near Maupin, which passed 1,000 acres, is now 90% contained and all evacuations from the fire have since been lifted.

Further south, the Darlene 3 Fire near La Pine has continued to grow, passing 3,500 acres overnight while crews continue their work to contain the blaze.

Stay tuned as we bring you more information on this fire.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Darlene Fire in Deschutes County continued growing overnight shooting past 2000 acres in less than 24 hours.

The fire, which started Tuesday, grew extremely quickly throughout the afternoon prompting Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations for nearby residences.

As of 6 a.m, Wednesday morning the fire is sitting at 2,415 acres and 0% containment.

Evacuations remain unchanged from Tuesday with Level 3 evacuations for the area east of Highway 97 and north of Reed Road, including areas off Rosland Road and Newberry Estates.

A temporary evacuation site is set up at La Pine High School for residents in need of support.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire on Tuesday, which allowed the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two wildfires in Southern Oregon started within 15 minutes of each other Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

According to Jackson County Emergency Management, fire crews are making progress on both fires one near Shady Cove and one near Ruch.

The fire near Shady Cove, named the Highway 62 Fire is sitting at around 75 acres, but crews have the whole fire lined and hoses set up.

Further south, the Upper Applegate Fire near Ruch is burning at an estimated 500 acres, and progress has been difficult authorities said. The fire is on steep terrain in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest which is making things more challenging, according to Emergency Management.

Crews are working today to build and strengthen lines and also work on structure protection.

There is a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation notice in place for the Upper Applegate Fire for areas west of Upper Applegate Road, the eastern portions of Sterling Creek Road and Eastside Road south of Little Applegate Road to north of McKee Bridge. More information about the notices is available online.

No evacuation notices are in place for the Highway 62 Fire.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man was rescued after falling down a steep cliff in Southwest Portland Thursday night, authorities said.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue, crews responded to a person who had fallen over a railing along Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard, just south of Oregon Health and Science University.

The victim was on the phone with the dispatchers attempting to help in his rescue, but information was limited, only that he was “on a steep slope below Southwest Terwilliger and above Southwest Barbur Boulevard,” officials said.

Crews were sent to positions both above and below the victim and eventually, he said he could see the emergency lights below on Southwest Barbur causing the crews to start working their way uphill.

At the same time, the crews above the victim eventually heard him making noise and began to communicate with him leading to a more focused rescue.

Eventually, the victim was found about 70 feet down the hill, with a 20-foot steep drop-off near the top, officials said.

Using ropes, rescuers worked their way downhill to reach the man and they found he had both hip and leg injuries which required them to use a low-angle rope system to safely get him out.

A chainsaw was used to clear the path down to the victim and with the work of 14 firefighters, eight carrying the victim’s rescue basket and six pulling ropes at the top, the man was eventually rescued and taken to the very nearby hospital for his injuries.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After receiving record rainfall on Sunday, Portland is forecast for 90-degree temperatures by Friday.

KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern says that an atmospheric river dropped 0.69 inches of rain on Portland Sunday, beating the previous record of 0.67 inches set in 2010. Portland is forecast for more cool, cloudy weather to start the week before the heat sets in.

“Monday and Tuesday remain cool and showery in the 60s,” Bayern said. “High pressure then builds to boost temperatures in Portland back into the 80s and 90s for the end of the workweek and the weekend.”

While daytime temperatures will see a 26-degree swing between Monday and Friday, Bayern reports that Portland isn’t forecast to break any temperature records.

“We’re not looking at record heat right now, but we’ll see how the forecast adjusts heading into the next few days,” Bayern said.

The coast-to-coast marine conservation project has ‘never been done before.’

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In a cross-country effort to replenish the oyster population in Chesapeake Bay, three seafood companies partnered to ship 84 truckloads with millions of Pacific oyster shells from Washington state to Maryland.

Since the start of 2024, Pacific Seafood — which is headquartered in Clackamas, Ore. — Madison Bay Seafood and Wittman Wharf Seafood worked together to haul the shells in a 53-foot-long truck to restore the native oyster population — travelling from Pacific Seafood’s processing location in South Bend, Wash. to the restoration site in Toddville, Md.

The project comes as the oyster fishery faces a shortage of shells for oysters to grow in the bay after years of harvesting and exporting.

“At Pacific Seafood, we believe in utilizing all parts of the seafood species to prevent waste,” said Jenn Allison, Pacific Seafood South Bend Plant Manager. “We are proud to help rebuild the oyster population for this public fishery and support an initiative that aligns with our values of sustainability and environmental responsibility.”

The project initially faced skepticism from Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources over concerns about introducing Pacific oysters to Chesapeake Bay; however, research found the shells were compatible to use in the bay and helped the project receive regulatory approval, Pacific Seafood explained.

The company said the project marks a “significant milestone” in marine conservation and shows “the power of cross-coastal collaboration.”

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police made several arrests Wednesday night after a joint operation in North Portland, officials said.

According to police, the joint mission between the North and East Precinct Neighborhood Response Teams in the Jantzen Beach and Delta Park area ended with 6 people being arrested.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Clackamas County deputy and a Beaverton police officer are on leave after a man was shot and killed during a SWAT call Monday night.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team members responded to a Happy Valley home at around 8:20 p.m. where a man was reportedly barricaded and holding his family hostage.

The initial 911 call was made by family members who said that the man was armed with a knife and had poured gasoline inside the home, officials said.

After several hours of negotiations, authorities moved in and the Clackamas deputy and Beaverton officer shot the suspect, killing him.

The woman and two children are safe.

Following standard protocol, the deputy and officer are both on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated.

The app is available on Android and iPhone devices

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – If you’re walking within Portland’s central city and find yourself looking down at the sidewalk, you may notice some new QR codes.

The signs are part of the Near Me Now campaign from the city’s environment management office. Scanning the QR code will download an app that gives users an inside look at features that make Portland special.

“This project from PEMO and additional partners will foster connectivity, support local
businesses, and enrich the urban experience for everyone who finds these clings along their
path,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said.

The app features nearby businesses along with other local points of interest to encourage walkers to explore lesser-known areas of “Portland-specific things” like dining, shopping, public art, food carts, attractions, live music, and more.

Dan Lenzen, the owner of Dixie Tavern in downtown Portland said it has already made a difference.

“The moment we saw the stickers go down, people were using the QR code and began their
journey,” Lenzen said.

The app is available on both Android and iPhone devices.

Portland chef Sarah Minnick of Lovely’s Fifty Fifty was named a finalist in the “Outstanding Chef” category

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The national nonprofit behind the Oscars of culinary industry has announced the finalists for its 2024 awards ceremony — and the list isn’t short of Oregon chefs and restaurants.

Hosted by the James Beard Foundation, the prestigious James Beard Awards recognize the people and places excelling in the food and drink industry. The organization announced finalists on Wednesday morning, months after revealing semifinalists in late January.

Portland restaurateur Sarah Minnick was named a finalist in the “Outstanding Chef” category, which highlights chefs who set high standards, set good examples for their peers and positively contribute to their community.

Minnick owns Mississippi Avenue pizzeria Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and has been featured on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated culinary series “Chef’s Table.”

In the “Outstanding Restaurant” category, Pearl District Thai spot Langbaan was included among five finalists. The award will go to the restaurant that “demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.”

The Willamette Valley’s Hayward, which opened in May 2023, was nominated as “Best New Restaurant” for already displaying excellence in the culinary industry. The McMinnville eatery boasts a “new northwest fare” and a “hyper-seasonal” menu.

North Portland dessert spot JinJu Patisserie was named an “Oustanding Bakery” finalist. The bakery is co-owned by master chocolatier Jin Caldwell and pastry chef Kyurim Lee, who relocated from Las Vegas to the Rose City over a decade ago.

Two Oregon restaurateurs were named finalists among the Pacific Northwest’s “Best Chefs.” Unlike the “Outstanding Chef” category, this category additionally focuses on building a sustainable work culture.

One of the nominees is Gregory Gourdet, who has previously won a James Beard Award for his celebrated Haitian restaurant Kann.

Ashland chef Josh Dorcak, of Cascadian cuisine restaurant MÄS, is also a finalist. Dorcak was nominated in the same category last year.

Winners of the 2024 James Beard Awards will be announced at the ceremony in Chicago on Monday, June 10.

“Congratulations to all of our esteemed honorees and nominees on this remarkable achievement,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in a statement. “Your vision, and continued dedication to excellence — both on and beyond the plate — make you true leaders of American culinary. Thank you for all you are doing to set a better standard for our industry and broader food system.”

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In a break from tradition, Humpty Dumpty is reaching new heights after his storybook home joined a shortlist of America’s best amusement parks.

Oregon’s very own Enchanted Forest has been included in a national poll that allows readers to vote for their favorite family-owned parks. The list, developed by Newsweek, features 15 nominees from across the country.

Marion County’s beloved fairytale-themed park features several districts with themes ranging from the Old West to European villages. It has been an Oregon icon for more than 50 years.

In 2020, the park was at risk of closing forever due to the pandemic, but a GoFundMe helped make it through. More than 6,500 donors raised over $350,000 in support for bills, utilities, taxes, insurance, and repairs.

Newsweek offered the following description for the park’s nomination:

“Opened by the Tofte family in 1971 as the Storybook Trail, the Enchanted Forest theme park has evolved over the years to include various districts, each with a unique theme. From Western towns to European villages, each region of the park offers a unique whimsy. Comedy shows, live music and a Fantasy Fountain light show make the experience even more enchanting.”

To vote for Enchanted Forest to make the official top 10, visit the Newsweek website.

Polls close April 11, and the winners will be announced on April 18.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — One person is dead after an early morning assault on the Eastbank Esplanade, authorities said.

According to Portland police, officers responded to the Eastbank Esplanade near the Hawthorne Bridge just before 4:30 a.m. where there had been a reported assault.

Upon arrival, officers said they found Portland Fire & Rescue already at the scene as well as others who had intervened in the assault.

The suspect was quickly detained and taken to a hospital by ambulance and is currently in police custody, officials said.

The victim, who officers said they believe is an adult man, was found dead at the scene.

Investigators are on the scene and the multi-use path is currently blocked.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland police.

The event kicks off Friday, March 22 and lasts through May 5

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know it isn’t really spring until you visit a field of tulips as far as the eye can see.

This year marks the 40th annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, which kicks off Friday, March 22 and lasts through May 5. Tickets are available online only.

“We are excited to share the beauty of our farm with you once again,” festival organizers said. “We reflect on the memories created, but also look forward with anticipation to the next 40 years.”

Admission will give visitors an opportunity to frolic among 40 acres of the bulb-shaped flowers that, from a distance, seem to grow in stripes of red, yellow, and everything in between. Depending on the day, it also offers a chance to take part in events.

Wednesday through Friday, visitors can partake in a wooden shoe-making class. And for visitors over the age of 21, wine tours are available Saturday through Sunday.

The following events take place on specific dates:

March 28: Floral Arranging Class

April 6-7: Farm to Flower Weekend to support Oregon agriculture

April 27: Wine Weekend with multiple wineries (21+ only)

The festival also coordinated with Portland Rose Balloons to offer tethered hot air balloon rides from Thursday through Sunday, but only on days without rain and light winds.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Fire crews battled back-to-back house fires in Southeast Portland overnight Monday, authorities said.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue, crews responded to a fire just after 11 p.m. Monday night where a fire had started in an shed and spread to a house.

By the time crews arrived at the scene, officials said the back of the home was heavily burning and the fire was spreading.

The blaze was put out within 30 minutes authorities said.

As crews responded to the first fire, just 20 blocks away, another house fire was reported in the Richmond neighborhood.

With crews tied up battling the first fire, additional firefighters needed to be called in from further away, which PF&R said slowed their response.

When they got to the second fire scene, crews said they saw smoke pouring out of the second story of the home and quickly worked to make sure everyone was out safely. Officials say they knocked down that fire in 10 minutes.

There were no reported injuries in either fire.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Portland State University’s president will be attending the State of the Union in Washington, D.C. next week as a guest to Rep. Earl Blumenauer.

The university made the announcement Wednesday, sharing that Blumenauer chose President Ann Cudd because she shares similar values to the congressman.

“President Cudd and I both believe that academic institutions, and students, have an important role to play in our civic institutions and our civic infrastructure and are uniquely situated to help engage in some of Portland’s most pressing challenges,” Blumenauer (D-OR) said.

Cudd said it is “an absolute honor to be invited” to the event, which takes place Thursday, March 7.

“Congressman Blumenauer is a tireless champion for Portland and for so many of the values that Portland and Portland State University hold dear,” she said. “We share a passion for the revitalization of our great city and he has a deep understanding of our unique student population and the vital role that PSU plays as Oregon’s urban research university.”

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It’s National Retro Day, the perfect time to take a break from the internet and celebrate the good old days of the mid to late twentieth century.

The Vintages Trailer Resort in Dayton is offering up some special deals to mark the occasion.

KOIN 6 News’ Kohr Harlan took a trip to see what they have to offer.

Watch the full video in the player above.