Durkee & Cow Valley Fires update for Monday, July 22

By Joe Hathaway on Monday, July 22nd, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Northeastern Oregon News

UPDATE – 12:50PM: The Baker County Sheriff’s Office says Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation levels remain in effect for Huntington and the Rye Valley area.

With thunderstorms forecasted late this afternoon, the potential for high winds and unpredictable fire weather, we anticipate the evacuation levels will remain unchanged throughout the day.

Fire officials will continue to evaluate conditions on the #DurkeeFire as the day progresses.

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Yesterday was another extremely active fire day. Winds from nearby thunderstorms started around 6pm causing 50 mph out flow winds on the eastern section of the fire.

The fire pushed east between Rye Valley and Lockett Road toward I-84 causing additional evacuations. A link to current information road closure information is below.

Firefighters completed strategic firing operations from Bridgeport to Malheur Reservoir in partnership with resources from RFPAs (Rangeland Fire Protection Associations), Vale BLM (Bureau of Land Management), Rural Valley, OSFM (Oregon State Fire Marshal), and ODF (Oregon Department of Forestry.

Today, firefighters are working on connecting firelines into Deer Creek in the north. The Durkee Fire has burned into two past fire scars which will support personnel in their work by slowing fire spread and giving firefighters more time to connect firelines and conduct firing operations from. Aviation will continue to be an asset to crews by dropping water and retardant.

Critical burn environments continue across the Pacific Northwest causing an extreme potential for continued ignition.

Cow Valley has not showed any signs of heat or spread and is staying within its footprint even through windy conditions.

Minimal fire behavior has been observed due to suppression efforts, containment features and fuel consumption.

INVESTIGATION: Reward offered for information relating to wildfires in Malheur Reservoir area

VALE, Ore. – Fire investigators and law enforcement officials are requesting the public’s assistance in the investigation of the Cow Valley, Bonita and other small wildfires in the Malheur Reservoir area. These fires all began in the early morning hours of July 11, between approximately 1 and 5 a.m. They are believed to be human caused and of a suspicious nature. A monetary reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of individual(s) responsible. Anyone with information about any of these incidents should call We Tip Anonymous at 1-800-47-ARSON, online at wetip.com

WEATHER AND SMOKE: There is a Red Flag warning for lightning again today. The thunderstorms will bring outflow winds again starting late afternoon and could cause gusts up to 55 mph from any direction. For current smoke information, visit airfire.org

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: The Malheur County Sheriff’s has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. check for updates on the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. Visit the Baker County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for more information. Baker County Sheriff’s Office has closed Burnt River Canyon Road to non-local, non-emergency traffic due to the Durkee Fire.

I-84 and other Highways: Please go to tripcheck.com for current road closures as the situation is dynamic and subject to change.

BURN BAN: A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County, including all BLM lands. For more information, visit https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices/.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION: There is a temporary flight restriction over the Durkee Fire, please remember, if you fly we cant!