Single Publication

Durkee, Cow Valley, and Bonita Fires Update for Wednesday, July 24, 2024

541-208-4371, staffed 7AM to 7PM PDT

2024.durkee@firenet.gov

DURKEE FIRE: Start date: July 17, 2024 | Location: 5 miles southwest of Durkee, OR | Personnel: 526 | OSFM Task Forces: 4 | Fire size: 244,858 acres | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

Today’s weather will lead to extreme fire behavior and growth. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms and will be followed by a Flash Flood Watch. Thunderstorm wind gusts may reach 75 mph and are expected to directly impact the Durkee Fire footprint. Burned areas are more susceptible to landslides, mudslides, flash floods and debris flow. The amount of rainfall is not known at this time, but 15/100 of an inch of precipitation in 15 minutes could be enough to cause debris flows. 

The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office have issued evacuations for multiple areas. Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW”, should leave immediately. Residents should not return to their property until evacuation levels have been removed. Carry enough supplies to support you and your family for multiple days. A real time map of fire evacuations can be found at the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard. 

Weather and fire behavior could impact transportation, power transmission, cell service and other utilities. Monitor these resources for additional information. 

• Oregon Department of Transportation - TripCheck.com
• Idaho Power -  IdahoPower.com
• American Red Cross of Eastern Oregon and Idaho - https://www.redcross.org/local/idaho.html

The Durkee Fire is located west of Interstate 84 (I-84). The Thompson Fire, a convergence of lightning fires that started near Thompson Creek on July 22, is located east of I-84. Both have grown rapidly with the persistent high temperatures, strong winds, and extremely dry fuels. 

Firefighters worked overnight to maintain primary and secondary firelines and to support structure protection. No strategic firing operations were initiated. Today, wildland firefighters are anticipating the extreme weather event. They will remain strategically placed around the fire area for when the extreme weather arrives and engage when safe to do so.  Protecting life of the public and firefighters is the highest priority of the incident. 

Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces will work to support communities around the fire perimeter. 

Yesterday, air resources were limited due to poor visibility and high winds. Air resources are expected to be limited or grounded today due extreme weather. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: 

• RED FLAG WARNING 
• FLASH FLOOD WATCH
• Thunderstorms with outflow winds as high as 75 mph 
• 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. There is an American Red Cross shelter in Ontario at the Malheur County Fairgrounds, 795 N.W. 9th Street.

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 can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded.

COW VALLEY FIRE:  Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 
0 | Fire size: 133,490 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 91%

BONITA FIRE: Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles south east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 0 | Fire size: 2,727 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 90%

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