Malheur County declares state of emergency in response to Cow Valley Fire
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
VALE — The Malheur County Court signed a disaster declaration on Wednesday, July 17, in response to the massive Cow Valley Fire that has scorched thousands of acres of rangeland in the northern part of the county.
Commissioners Ron Jacobs and Jim Mendiola, along with County Judge Dan Joyce, signed the declaration into order at the county court meeting on Wednesday.
According to the declaration, a full week of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a lack of moisture created “vulnerable conditions in the wildlands of Malheur County.” It also mentioned that “a series of suspicious fires started in the high desert north of Ontario and Vale in the week of July 8.” The declaration outlined the extensive damage to acreage, grassland, hay, and livestock, though cost estimates of these losses are not yet available.
The Cow Valley Fire, which erupted on July 11, had burned more than 133,000 acres—over 200 square miles—by Tuesday, July 16. Firefighters from across the state and nation have been deployed to combat the blaze, and preliminary evacuation orders were issued for several towns as the fire advanced south toward U.S. Highway 20 and Vale. The town of Brogan, near the fire’s origin, faced significant threats from the flames last week.
As of Wednesday, July 17, evacuation orders were rescinded as fire conditions improved.
The declaration underscores the necessity of “extraordinary measures” to address the tens of thousands of acres of wildland already lost, to alleviate further suffering of people and livestock, and to protect or mitigate economic loss while responding to the threat of more wildfires. The forecast for the next few weeks shows temperatures remaining in excess of 100 degrees, with little to no precipitation expected.
The declaration will enable ranchers and farmers to seek assistance from state and federal agencies and insurance companies. It will now be sent to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management after approval by county commissioners. It aims to facilitate assessment, evaluation, and the acquisition of appropriate resources to address the crisis.
