Large wildfire shuts down Highway 20 in Malheur County
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Northeastern Oregon News
Malheur County – (Update from Vale BLM) :
Significant resources are responding to the Little Valley Fire near Harper, Ore., which is threatening two structures and has grown to 4,000 acres.
The fire was reported around 1 p.m. MT after a storm cell moved through the area. Three Vale Rangeland Fire Protection Association engines and three BLM engines were initially dispatched.
Four large air tankers (LATs), five single engine air tankers (SEATs) are dropping retardant while a Type 2 helicopter is dropping water from the nearby Malheur River. One RFPA and one BLM dozer are on scene as well.
A second fire, on Morgan Mountain near Huntington, Ore., was quickly contained at 30 acres.
For additional information, please contact Larisa Bogardus at 541-523-1407 or lbogardus@blm.gov.
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A large wildfire west of Vale has shut down Hwy. 20 between Harper’s Junction and Vale (mileposts 225-240).
The Bureau of Land Management says the Little Valley Fire began today and quickly spread to 3,500 acres and is heading north towards the highway. At least two structures are also threatened.
Nine engines and several aircrafts are currently on scene battling the blaze.
The Oregon Department of Transportation says to expect extended delays with the highway closure.
