Friday, the Durkee Fire in Baker and Malheur County was extremely active progressing south/southeast past Huntington Road and paralleling a ridgeline adjacent to Hwy 26. Southern progression of the advancing fire front reached east of Brogan. To the north, the fire crossed Burnt River. Fourteen aircraft dropped retardant and water to reinforce the efforts of firefighters on the ground. Overnight Friday, 20-25 mph winds with gusts reaching 45 mph combined with dry grass and other dry fuels drove fire growth. Grasslands containing juniper saw six-foot flame lengths.
QUICK FACTS
(๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฆ ๐ฏ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ค๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข๐จ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฑ ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง 1:34 ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ด ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ.)
Start date: July 17, 2024
Location: 5 miles southwest of Durkee, OR
Fire size: 24,269 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 191
Cause: Lightning
Saturday, given conditions associated with extreme fire behavior, fire fighters will continue to engage and make progress were and when it is safe to do so. Structure protection is a top priority. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized several task forces to help with structure prep and protection. Aircraft use will continue, especially in areas that are not safe for ground support.
The Durkee Fire is burning in rough terrain with fuels comprised of juniper and sage. Fire behavior in this fuel type is characterized as spreading quickly. With increasing temperatures forecasted, 20-25 mph winds continuing through the day and compounding cumulative drying conditions below seasonal averages, the fire is likely to continue active progressing.
WEATHER AND SMOKE
Saturday’s forecast calls for hot and dry conditions with temperatures ranging in the 100s and low humidity. Winds will be north, 20-25 mph. The inversion will lift over the Durkee fire this morning and will cause gusts to reach up to 30 MPH this afternoon. For current smoke information and air quality index, visit airnow.gov.
EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
The Malheur County Sheriffโs has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. check for updates on the Malheur County Sheriffโs Office Facebook page.
The Baker County Sheriffโs Office has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. Visit the Baker County Sheriffโs Office Facebook page for more information.
Baker County Sheriff’s Office has closed Burnt River Canyon Road to non-local, non-emergency traffic due to the Durkee Fire.
BURN BAN
A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County, including all BLM lands. For more information, visit https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices/.
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION
There is a temporary flight restriction over the Durkee Fire, please remember if you fly we cant.