Durkee Fire sears over 170,000 acres in eastern Oregon, containment at 0%

UPDATE: On Wednesday, July 17 a lightning strike started flames in eastern Oregon, and the fire has continued to spread through the area.

The Durkee Fire, burning 5 miles southwest of Durkee, now covers 173,758 acres in east Oregon after two extremely active fire days over the weekend according to Durkee and Cow Valley Fires Information.

The fire is currently 0% contained as over 550 personnel from fire crews work to attack the flames on the ground and in the air.

With the nearby Cow Valley fire continuing to burn as well, eastern Oregon is experiencing two wildfires that span over 100,000 acres.

Fire officials say the smoke from the east Oregon fires will continue to blow through the area, with the city of Burns expecting very unhealthy air quality and nearby John Day and Baker City expected to have unhealthy air conditions.

Smoke-filled air conditions are expected to continue through Tuesday, July 23.

UPDATE: As of 10 p.m., July 21
The Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon and its partners have opened an evacuation shelter in Ontario, Oregon, for those displaced by the Durkee wildfire.

The Red Cross shelter is located at the Malheur County Fairgrounds, 795 N.W. 9th St., and will provide a safe place to stay, meals, information, emotional support and access to other community resources. There is also room for livestock and RVs.

I-84 is closed to all traffic between Baker City (Exit 302) and Ontario (Exit 374) due to a wildfire south of Durkee, near milepost 330. Delay your travel or use alternate routes, stay on main highways. Closure is expected to last through the night. Crews will evaluate the situation in the morning. Go to TripCheck.com for updates. More Info Here [tripcheck.com]

Level 3 evacuation has been issued to Huntington and the surrounding area. For Huntington residents that need transportation, a bus will be available at Lions Park.

Level 3 evacuation has also been issued to Rye Valley and the surrounding area.

This evening at approximately 7:04 p.m. thunderstorms moved through the area which caused the fire column to collapse, sending wind gusts in excess of 50 mph in all directions. These gusts have the potential to drive the fire toward town.

The fire has NOT crossed I-84 at this time, but has the potential to.

UPDATE: As of 4 p.m., July 21

The Durkee fire burning has been stopped on the south end in the Willowcreek area, however a “GO” level evacuation order remains in effect while crews confirm there is no fire activity in the area.

On the North end of the county, the fire is continuing to make its way west. The areas north and west of Malheur Reservoir from Willowcreek Road up Alder Creek Road to the Malheur County line and beyond have been increased to a level 3 evacuation status.

Areas to the west of Alder Creek Road are being upgraded to a Level 2, or “Get Set”, evacuation level.

The Vale District of the BLM Oregon & Washington has been working in partnership with other first responders since day one on both the Durkee fire. BLM Units from Idaho and Nevada have also sent a surge of resources. Late last week, Idaho BLM sent four engines and one bulldozer, and Nevada BLM sent four engines, one water tender, and one bulldozer.

In addition to these critical resources from Nevada and Idaho BLM, there is a local Vale District Engine and many individual Vale BLM employees assigned to the Durkee fire.

UPDATE: As of 10 a.m., July 21
Yesterday was a very active day for the Durkee Fire. The fire spread mostly to the southeast, with some growth also seen to the north and west. A total of 24 aviation resources were involved in firefighting operations, making it one of the largest aerial responses in the country! Unfortunately, there was an incident where a privately-owned drone entered restricted airspace. Thanks to the swift actions of fire personnel, the drones did not disrupt aircraft operations, allowing firefighting efforts to continue both on the ground and in the air.

Firefighters conducted controlled burning operations on the southern edge of the fire along Dry Creek Road. This helped create a barrier to slow the fire's advance. They have successfully prevented the fire from spreading further south towards Brogan, although it did reach Malheur Reservoir last night.

Today, another day of extreme fire activity is expected. Firefighters, along with local Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs), will continue to work around the fire perimeter where it is safe to do so. They are focusing on building firelines from Malheur Reservoir to Amelia Butte and slowing the fire's progress where it crossed Burnt River. Weather conditions are also expected to change today.

Personnel: 434 | Fire size: 116,431 acres | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

UPDATE: As of 4 p.m., Saturday, July 20

The Durkee fire has spread over 100,000 acres and advanced to the south making it all the way to the east side of Brogan last night. The fire crossed Lockett Road Saturday morning, making it all the way to 10th Ave East near Willowcreek. Residents from 10th Ave East south to Vale, from Vale around Foothill Drive to Heinz Blvd., to Jacobsen Gulch Road to I84 are all advised to evacuate.

If you live within the Cities of Ontario or Vale, or within irrigated cropland areas, this does not apply to you. If you reside near or on the rangeland, it does apply to you.

Level 2 evacuation or “Get Set” is advised for areas north of Willowcreek Road at Basin Creek and east of Basin Creek north into Baker County and east to Birch Creek.

Fire crews are battling winds and environmental factors that make it incredibly difficult to keep up with. Winds are expected from the Northeast throughout the day on Saturday.

If you need shelter accommodations, call Malheur County Dispatch at (541) 473-5125.

UPDATE: As of 11 a.m., Saturday, July 20

Yesterday, the Durkee Fire showed intense activity as it moved south/southeast beyond Huntington Road, running parallel to a ridgeline near Highway 26. It advanced east of Brogan in its southern direction and crossed Burnt River to the north. Fourteen aircraft dropped retardant and water to support ground crews. Overnight, strong winds of 20-25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph, fueled the fire's growth, especially in grasslands with juniper where flames reached six feet in height.

Today, firefighters will continue to engage the fire cautiously due to extreme fire behavior. Structure protection remains a primary focus, with resources such as the Oregon State Fire Marshal assisting in preparations. Aerial strategies will be emphasized in areas where ground support is unsafe.

The Durkee Fire is burning in rugged terrain with juniper and sage fuels, known for rapid spread. With temperatures expected to rise and winds persisting at 20-25 mph throughout the day, coupled with drier-than-usual conditions, the fire is likely to remain active and continue advancing.

The Durkee fire is rapidly moving south towards Brogan. It has crossed Durbin Creek Road and is now advancing along the ridge line north of Hwy 26. Residents on the north side of Hwy 26 near Thomaselio Road and Hill Road are urged to evacuate immediately. This is at the highest level of preparedness, classified as "GO."

Firefighters are contending with strong winds and challenging environmental conditions, which are hampering their efforts.

Areas between Lockett Road and Hwy 26 should maintain a level 2 preparedness, labeled "Get Set." Ensure your travel supplies are prepared and your pets are ready to evacuate within 10 minutes of notice. Have your plans in place, but wait for further instructions before leaving unless you require additional time to evacuate.

For shelter assistance, please contact Malheur County Dispatch at (541) 473-5125. Dispatch is experiencing high call volumes, so please reserve calls for shelter needs or emergencies only. We will issue a follow-up alert when it is safe to return to the area.