Governor Calls in the National Guard as Wildfires Ravage Oregon

By Lucille McNamara On Jul 26, 2024

The Durkee and Battle Mountain Complex fires in eastern Oregon are raging across a 420 square mile radius, prompting Governor Tina Kotek to call in the National Guard and invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act.

By yesterday, equipment and fire crews from 26 states were involved in the fight to control the blaze.

Man Arrested for Starting Biggest Wildfire in California

Meanwhile, while authorities confirm that the start of some of the wildfires in Oregon are under investigation, in California a 42-year-old man has been arrested for starting the biggest wildfire in the state. He was arrested yesterday after pushing a burning vehicle into a gully which ignited the blaze.

The man stands accused of starting the Park Fire that has burned 70 square miles near Chico, while Butte and Tehama counties have been given evacuation orders.

Durkee Wildfire Threatens Hundreds of Homes and Infrastructures

The Durkee Fire has become the focus of attention after it was sparked by lightning last week, scorching 270,000 acres in Malheur and Baker counties. More than 500 firefighters are trying to hold the flames, supported by aircraft, hotshot crews from 26 states, and engines.

In the unincorporated community of Durkee, and in the Rye Valley and Huntington, two buildings have been destroyed, with a further 680 structures and 630 homes under threat. The fires are also posing imminent danger to power infrastructures and cell towers in the area.

Despite a drop in temperatures and wind rates, and with rain falling overnight, the Durkee Fire has grown by 30,000 in the past 24 hours.

Governor Kotek Says Wildfires are Scaling Up Quickly

Governor Kotek says the wildfires in Eastern Oregon ‘have scaled up quickly.’ Erratic high winds could spread the wildfires. The governor says power supplies have been disrupted to some communities, while rainfall was not reaching all areas, leading to her decision to call in the National Guard.

The governor has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act that enables local authorities to receive outside help when wildfires threaten lives, properties and the safety of residents of the affected areas.

Authorities have called on residents who suffer from major health issues to evacuate their homes because of dense smoke and lack of electricity. Gas supplies to the local population have also been shut off until the evacuation order is lifted.

Durkee Fire Causes Closure of Interstate 84

The Durkee Fire is burning near Oregon’s border with Idaho and caused the closure in both directions of Interstate 84 between Baker City and Ontario when flames threatened to roadway in several locations. The Durkee Fire has since merged with the Cow Valley Fire.

Eastbound lanes between Pendleton and Baker City were also closed by the Oregon Department of Transportation that has warned motorists to expect further closures as fire crews battle the blaze from the interstate.

On Monday night, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the use of federal funds to help cover the cost of the fires.