Because of the reduced threat to homes and other infrastructure and the hard work of firefighters, the Oregon State Fire Marshal‘s Red Team is demobilizing its incident management team and remaining structural task forces Tuesday morning. Several hundred wildland firefighters remain to work on the fire and will have resources assigned to structural protection.
“It’s been an honor to serve in Malheur County, working closely with our wildland partners and local fire protection agencies to keep this community safe,” Red Team Incident Commander Ian Yocum said. “We are leaving the Cow Valley Fire in the capable hands of Northwest Team 6, they will continue to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities.”
QUICK FACTS
Start date: July 11, 2024
Location: 9 miles east of Ironside, OR
Fire size: 133,408 acres
Containment: 16%
Total personnel: 337
Cause: Human caused, under investigation
The Cow Valley Fire is 16% contained. The containment is located along the northern edge of the fire and will be shown as a bold black line on the map. Fire containment is based on a high probability that the fire will not move across the fire line under the predicted weather conditions. Fire lines are strengthened by digging down to mineral soil, removing flammable debris, and reducing heat near the edge with water and tools. Areas of containment will be monitored periodically.
Monday, fire growth was minimal. The Cow Valley Fire is now 133,408 acres. Crews on all shifts had success strengthening primary fire lines. Aviation worked to support ground resources with water and fire-retardant drops as weather allowed. Firefighters walked the entire northern edge checking for heat. The Unstaffed Aerial System was equipped with an infrared camera to detect lingering heat signatures on the line, none were found.
Tuesday, resources on the western edge of the fire are looking for more opportunities to go direct. The eastern and southern edges continue to hold, and crews will work to improve the line. A structure group is in place, ready to defend critical infrastructure.
A community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Vale Senior Center (100 Longfellow St. S, Vale, OR). The meeting is open to the public. Come to hear about fire updates and connect with resources who can help you recover from fire impacts. The meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook.
WEATHER AND SMOKE
Tuesday, temperatures will increase with a forecasted high of 101 degrees and lower humidity levels. Extreme fire behavior is still possible based on fuel and weather conditions. Winds will be moving east at 3-8 mph, with gusts up to 14 mph. There is a 20% chance of thunderstorms tonight through tomorrow morning, which could bring stronger wind gusts from the west.
Winds will move southeast in the morning and northwest in the afternoon, which could lead to higher concentrations of smoke in the area. For the current smoke information and the air quality index, visit airnow.gov.
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:
The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office issued updated evacuation orders on July 14. Check below for details or visit the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (linked above).
This will be the last update from the Oregon State Fire Marshal. For future updates please log on to the Cow Valley Fire Incident Website.