Firefighters are seeing some success in Eastern Oregon. The Durkee Fire, , was 86% contained as of Monday morning. The lightning-caused wildfire has burned nearly 295,000 acres. Crews expect the fire to reach .
The response team for the Durkee Fire reported that the smoke outlook steadily decreased over the weekend and in Eastern Oregon remained moderate.
Brook Smith
While growth of the Durkee Fire has slowed, Eastern Oregon could see concerning conditions over the next few weeks. The Eastern Oregonian officials are worried about the possibility of more simultaneous large fires in August and September 鈥� and the potential for firefighter burnout and exhaustion.
Related:
Meanwhile in Central Oregon, 16 miles north of Paulina, the has grown to more than 64,000 acres after igniting on July 22. Also a lightning-caused wildfire, the Crazy Creek Fire was 6% contained as of Monday morning and evacuation orders were in effect for areas in Crook and Wheeler counties for areas in or near the fire.
Officials extended Level 3 鈥� Go Now 鈥� evacuations from the Forest Boundary to Highway 380 and Level 2 鈥� Be Set 鈥� evacuations south of Highway 380.
The Columbia River Gorge is also experiencing a flare-up of fires. On Sunday, the city of Antelope in Wasco County was under Level 3 鈥� Go Now 鈥� for a new fire that had grown to 400 acres.
Over in Hood River County, the is burning close to Cascade Locks. It had burned about 1,200 acres and was 0% contained as of Monday morning. That fire along with the have closed .
In Lane County, a brush fire prompted a Level 2 鈥� Be Set 鈥� evacuations near the community of Goshen just south of Eugene on Monday afternoon. The affected area was between I-5 and Hideaway Hills and between Dillard and Hampton, according to .
Aerial resources were deployed to attack the blaze. Lane Electric Co-op reported several power outages in the area.
Smoke from the fire periodically blew across Interstate 5, according to an Oregon Department of Transportation traffic camera in the area.
According to the , an estimated 153 people live in the area currently under Level 2 evacuation.
KLCC鈥檚 Chris M Lehman contributed to this story.
Copyright 2024 Oregon Public Broadcasting