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Wildfires threaten communities in the West as Oregon fire closes interstate, creates its own weather
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Firefighters in the West are scrambling as wildfires threaten communities in Oregon, California and Washington, with at least one Oregon fire so large that it is creating its own weather. Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon was closed in both directions Tuesday between Ontario and Baker City as flames from the Durkee fire advanced toward the roadway in multiple locations. The Oregon Department of Transportation also closed the eastbound lanes of I-84 from Pendleton to Baker City and warned Tuesday night that travelers should expect continued highway closures in eastern Oregon as fire crews actively fight fire from the interstate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday night authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the lightning-caused blaze that started July 17. It had scorched nearly 375 square miles (971 square kilometers) as of Tuesday afternoon. The Durkee fire was threatening homes in and around the communities of Durkee, Huntington and Rye Valley, as well as the interstate, cell towers and power infrastructure in the area. Fire crews and equipment from 22 states were battling the blaze as of Tuesday, authorities said.
Idaho’s Air Quality Crisis: The Hidden Dangers of Wildfires and Pollution
Summers in the Western United States are a challenge. Whether you live in Arizona, California, or our state of Idaho, it's hot. The summer of 2024 is projected to be one of the hottest and most dangerous on record, posing a significant threat to our communities. . Fortunately, the Gem...
Journalism camp is a place to learn, but also an opportunity to find your people
It’s Tuesday at the High School Journalism Institute. We’re almost at the halfway point and the students are starting to report on their stories. Also at this part of the week, students from all over the state are mingling and chatting at meals. They have inside jokes that...
Wildfire threats cause campfire bans at some state parks
The increasingly dry conditions in Oregon’s forests and grasslands, partially to blame for a rash of nearly a dozen large wildfires across the state, are now impacting state parks as well. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday, July 23, it has banned campfires at most state parks in response to the dry conditions, threatening wildfires and the strain on firefighter resources as the season progresses. Campfires have been...
Avangrid Begins Largest Solar Grazing Operation in the Pacific Northwest
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 23, 2024-- Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, has partnered with a fifth-generation Oregon rancher to graze sheep at two solar farms in Oregon and Washington, and launched the largest “solar grazing” operation in the region. Solar grazing is a vegetation management method used at solar energy facilities that uses grazing livestock, like sheep, instead of machinery. Sheep are effective at limiting the growth of weeds and vegetation, cutting down on wildfire risks while replacing the use of gas-powered machines. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240723512197/en/ Sheep graze at Pachwáywit Fields solar farm in Oregon (Photo: Business Wire)
Flash flood watch for Oregon for Wednesday
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch at 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday valid for Wednesday between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. for Oregon Lower Treasure Valley as well as Harney, Baker and Malheur counties. The weather service describes, "Flash flooding and debris flows caused by excessive rainfall are...
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