Starting at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning, the Cow Valley Fire and Bonita Fire are being managed under unified command by Oregon State Fire Marshall Red Team and Northwest Team 6, which are both complex incident management teams. The Oregon State Fire Marshall Red Team will lead structure protection efforts and defend critical infrastructure. Northwest Team 6, will focus on fire suppression and request and coordinate wildland firefighting resources including firefighters, engine crews, aviation, and heavy equipment. More resources are being ordered and should arrive over the next several days.
The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders, check below for more information or visit the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
The Cow Valley Fire started on July 11 and the cause is under investigation. The fire grew rapidly in size through dry grass and juniper. High temperatures, low humidity, and high winds caused the fire to grow substantially. On July 12, 2024, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act which mobilized Oregon State Fire Marshall task force units from Marion, Clatsop, Multnomah, Lane, and Umatilla counties to Malheur County for the first time in over 30 years.
Saturday, the Cow Valley Fire grew southeast towards Bully Creek Reservoir and Cottonwood Mountain Lookout Road. Firefighters completed some strategic firing operations from Bully Creek Road to prevent the advancement of the fire towards the geothermal power plant. The fire remains northwest and west of the community of Brogan and west of Hwy 26 near the communities of Jamieson and Vale.
Sunday, crews will be working to suppress the Cow Valley Fire using direct and indirect attack. Indirect attack will include the creation of fire line, also know as handline or dozer line, some distance away from the fire. Fire line is created by firefighters or heavy equipment when they dig down to the mineral soil to create a perimeter around the fire. Indirect attack also includes the use of water from fire engines and water and retardant drops from aviation. Direct attack tactics will include strategic firing operations to reduce consumable (green) fuels ahead of the fire and to create fire line next to active fire. Firing operations will be minimized the smallest extent possible.
WEATHER AND SMOKE: A red flag warning is in effect until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. A red flag warning is issued when the weather conditions show high temperatures, low humidity levels, and strong winds. This combination of weather conditions creates unstable conditions and could lead to extreme fire behavior. Thunderstorms are expected to move into the area later this afternoon. Lightning could create new fire starts and firefighters are prepared to address those. Temperatures could reach 104 degrees Sunday. Winds will be moving southeast at 3-14 mph, with gust up to 60 mph.
Saturday, smoke from the fire drifted east with the wind during the day and shifted west during the evening. For the current smoke information and the air quality index, visit airnow.gov.
For the latest on evacuations please follow the Malheur County Sheriff. A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County. For more information, click here.
Cow Valley Fire Incident Website
Cow Valley Fire Information Facebook Page
Cow Valley Fire Information Phone Number: 541-208-4371
(7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)