The Durkee Fire in Oregon has grown to over 70,000 acres and is currently 0% contained, leading to evacuations for some residents in Malheur County. The fire, which was started by lightning strikes three days ago, is moving towards the town of Brogan and the city of Vale. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for most of Oregon due to dry temperatures and strong winds, creating dangerous fire conditions.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple has stated that resources are being mobilized to Durkee, as the fire has exceeded local capacity. The state is currently experiencing an aggressive wildfire season, with two megafires already burning over 100,000 acres each.
Fire officials have noted that many of the fires have been caused by humans, but lightning strikes are expected to start more fires in the coming days. Crews who were previously battling the Cow Valley Fire are now shifting their efforts to Durkee, where efforts to contain the blaze are a top priority.
The latest estimates as of Saturday show the Durkee Fire at 70,402 acres with no containment, the Cow Valley Fire at 133,490 acres with 78% containment, the Lone Rock Fire at 83,922 acres with 40% containment, and the Falls Fire at 117,200 acres with 10% containment. The state is closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to stay informed and prepared for potential evacuations.
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