What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of July 29, 2024, the Durkee Fire has burned 288,000 acres of land in eastern Oregon (1)(2). The fire is threatening the communities of Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley and impacting major infrastructure, including highways, cell towers, and power lines.

The Durkee fire is so large and extreme that it has created its own weather – a pyrocumulus cloud, or thunderstorm, created by the fire’s heat. This weather has the potential to spawn new fires through lightning strikes.

In addition to the Durkee Fire, Oregon is experiencing several other significant fires, including the Cow Valley, Falls, and Lone Rock Fires, all classified as megafires. The Durkee Fire has merged with the Cow Valley Fire to the west (3).

Washington State also has multiple large fires under active management. The Northwest region is facing a high level of fire activity, with extensive resources being deployed to address these ongoing threats.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The Durkee Fire is affecting the cities and towns of Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley in eastern Oregon. These areas are experiencing significant fire activity, with the blaze impacting local homes and infrastructure.

There is poor air quality across the Pacific Northwest from the Durkee Fire and other fires in the region and in Northwest Canada. Cities impacted include:

• Bend, Oregon
• Boise, Idaho
• Calgary, Alberta
• Denver, Colorado
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Missoula, Montana
• Rapid City, South Dakota
• Spokane, Washington

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of Monday morning, July 29, the Durkee Fire has grown to nearly 288,000 acres. Containment efforts are ongoing and has reached 49%. The situation is fluid, with firefighting resources stretched thin across the region due to multiple active fires.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the affected areas around Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley (4)(5)(6). Authorities have set up evacuation centers for displaced residents. Additionally, emergency alerts are in place due to the rapidly advancing fire and its potential impact on local communities.

Som evacuations have been lessened since being initially issued.

There have also been evacuations in California, Washington State, and Canada from wildfires. A fire near the town of Naches, Washington prompted mandatory evacuation and nearly 200 children and staff at a summer camp near Portola, California were evacuated due to a wildfire near the California-Nevada border

Evacuations were also ordered near Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada on Tuesday.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.