As of Thursday, July 25, 2024, Oregon is grappling with a series of devastating wildfires that have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres, prompted evacuations, and closed a major interstate highway. The largest of these blazes, the Durkee Fire in eastern Oregon, has grown to at least 270,000 acres and remains 0% contained.


The National Weather Service reported nearly 3,000 lightning strikes in the area, contributing to the rapid spread of fires. In response to the unpredictable fire activity, the Oregon Department of Transportation closed Interstate 84 from Pendleton to Ontario on Wednesday. Travelers are advised not to plan on using I-84 and to check TripCheck for updates.


Weather conditions have exacerbated the situation, with the area under a red flag warning, experiencing hurricane-force winds, and facing a flash flood warning. The National Weather Service also predicts extreme thunderstorms and lightning in the region.


The intense heat generated by the Durkee Fire, combined with existing winds, has created a phenomenon known as pyrocumulus, where the fire forms its own thunderstorm. This occurrence is causing erratic winds in the area, potentially spreading to other regions and increasing danger for firefighters.


On Saturday, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire. The governor has deployed National Guard resources to eastern and southwestern Oregon. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has sent structural protection resources, including firefighters and equipment, to combat the fire in Eastern Oregon.


The Durkee Fire has prompted various levels of evacuation orders in Baker County. The blaze, which started last week due to lightning strikes, crossed Interstate 84 near Huntington on Wednesday afternoon. It has also merged with the nearby Cow Valley Fire.


In addition to the Durkee Fire, numerous other wildfires are burning across Oregon:


Slate Fire:


Located 5 miles south of Detroit Dam in the Willamette National Forest, the Slate Fire has grown to at least 45 acres. Multi-agency suppression efforts are underway, including air attacks. Forest Service Road 2212 has been closed to assist emergency crews' access.


Boneyard Fire:


Burning in northeastern Oregon, the Boneyard Fire has reached 49,716 acres with 3% containment. A level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order has been issued for Monument and surrounding areas. There is potential for this fire to merge with the 56,139-acre Monkey Creek Fire to the east.


Rocky Mountain Complex:


A series of seven lightning-started fires near Oakridge and Westfir, collectively known as the Rocky Mountain Complex, are being managed by an incident team. The largest of these, the Chalk Fire, has grown to 2,247 acres and is 0% contained.


Lane 1 Fire:


Burning southeast of Cottage Grove, the Lane 1 Fire has prompted Level 1 'Be Ready' evacuation orders for areas east of Cottage Grove. As of Tuesday evening, it had burned 1,090 acres.


Pyramid Fire:


The lightning-caused Pyramid Fire, burning east of Sweet Home, remains at 535 acres and 0% contained. Significant progress has been made in establishing control lines around the fire's perimeter.


Ore Fire:


Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River, the Ore Fire has burned 860 acres. Rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions pose significant challenges for firefighters.


Homestead Complex:


A group of fires in the Umpqua National Forest, the Homestead Complex had a combined area of 910 acres as of Wednesday morning.


Microwave Tower Fire:


Near Mosier, the 704-acre Microwave Tower Fire has prompted evacuations of approximately 100 homes. Crews have made progress in establishing lines on the east end of the fire.


Diamond Complex:


Consisting of 20 fires burning at least 3,811 acres in the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest, the Diamond Complex is 3% contained.


The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory for southern, central, and eastern Oregon due to fire smoke. The advisory affects Grant, Wheeler, Crook, Deschutes, southern Umatilla, southern Morrow, Klamath, eastern Douglas, northern Harney, and northern Malheur counties.


The unprecedented dry conditions have contributed to the severity of this fire season. Some areas in Oregon have gone more than 75 days without rain, creating critical fire conditions in forests and grasslands. The U.S. Forest Service reports that the Fremont-Winema and Deschutes national forests have experienced the longest dry spell.


In response to the heightened fire risk, campfires have been temporarily banned at most Oregon State Parks. All parks east of the Cascades are under campfire bans, and fires and open flames are prohibited in high-risk areas until conditions improve.


The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands southeast of Cottage Grove due to wildfires in the areas of Sharps Creek and Clark Creek. This closure is intended to ensure public and firefighter safety and to allow fire suppression crews to respond effectively to the incident.


As Oregon faces this challenging fire season, officials are urging residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution. The dry conditions, combined with the potential for human-caused fires, pose a significant threat to communities and natural resources across the state. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed about evacuation orders and air quality advisories, and to be prepared to leave at short notice if necessary.


The firefighting efforts continue around the clock, with crews working tirelessly to contain the blazes and protect communities. However, the combination of dry conditions, unpredictable weather, and the sheer scale of the fires presents a formidable challenge. As the summer progresses, Oregon remains on high alert, with firefighters, emergency services, and communities bracing for what could be one of the most severe fire seasons in recent history.