In a concerning report from OPB, wildfires are once again ravaging the West, with Oregon, California, and Washington bearing the brunt. This summer has been particularly alarming for us Oregonians who have watched these fires grow more intense each year. Now, the Durkee Fire near the Oregon-Idaho border has become the largest active fire in the U.S., creating its own weather patterns and posing severe threats to our communities.
The Durkee Fire, which ignited on July 17th, has already scorched nearly 400 square miles. As of late Wednesday, fire crews were on high alert, anticipating a storm expected to bring lightning, strong winds, and the risk of flash floods. Interstate 84 in Eastern Oregon was shut down in both directions between Ontario and Baker City, with flames dangerously close to the highway. This closure extends from Pendleton to Baker City, and travelers are advised to use U.S. Highway 20 for east-west travel across central and eastern Oregon. For real-time updates, check TripCheck.com.
On Monday night, the Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized federal funds to assist with firefighting efforts. The fire threatens homes in Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley, as well as critical infrastructure like cell towers and power lines. The small town of Huntington, home to about 500 people, has been evacuated for three days, with officials warning remaining residents about the impending storm's potential to bring 75 mph wind gusts, lightning, and heavy rain, which could lead to flash floods and debris flows.
Oregon State Fire Marshal's office has mobilized nearly 500 firefighters to protect vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, Idaho Power has warned customers to brace for potential outages due to the fire.
"Power outages and freeway closures are expected," the Baker County Sheriff’s Office cautioned, noting that if the fire reaches Huntington, evacuation assistance could be delayed.
Fire crews and equipment from 22 states are battling the blaze. Meteorologist Stephen Parker from the National Weather Service in Boise described the Durkee Fire's extreme behavior, forming a "pyrocumulus cloud" – a thunderstorm generated by the fire's heat, which can elevate smoke and ash much higher than usual, potentially causing new fire starts if there's enough moisture.
As of Tuesday morning, no new pyrocumulus clouds were seen, but Parker warned they could form later in the day. Severe weather had already sparked several new fires, including one in the Columbia River Gorge that forced evacuations in Mosier, Oregon, and another in central Washington near Naches.
More than 60 significant fires were burning in Oregon and Washington alone, with smoke from the Durkee Fire impacting air quality as far as Boise. Patrick Nauman, a local business owner in Weiser, Idaho, described the dense smoke as "like driving into a fog bank."
Record-breaking heat waves have compounded the fire danger, with parts of the West experiencing triple-digit temperatures for days. This, combined with historic drought conditions, has created a perfect storm for wildfires, which scientists link to climate change making the region warmer and drier over the past 30 years.
In a grim reminder of the worsening fire seasons, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared an "extended state of emergency" until October. She urged Oregonians to heed evacuation orders, subscribe to emergency alerts, and prepare for rapid changes in conditions.
As lifelong Oregonians, it's heartbreaking to see our beautiful state burn year after year. We must stay vigilant and support each other through these challenging times.
