A massive “megafire” blazing through eastern Oregon has burned more than 200 square miles, but state fire officials say it is human-caused.
The Cow Valley Fire has been raging since Thursday and has burned more than 133,000 acres. As of Tuesday evening, it was only 16 percent contained. According to the Oregon Fire and Hot Spot Dashboard:.
One person was confirmed injured, and two homes and five buildings were damaged.
The state fire marshal activated task forces from Umatilla, Multnomah, Marion, Lane and Clatsop counties over the weekend to try to contain the “fast-growing wildfire” that spread quickly due to high winds and triple-digit temperatures. KOIN reported.
Officials have confirmed the fire was “human-caused,” but the exact cause is still under investigation.
By Tuesday, the northern end of the fire was partially contained and growth was “minimal,” fire officials said. he said in a social media update..
“Resources currently on the western edge of the fire are exploring additional opportunities for direct deployment,” they wrote.
“The east and south ends continue to hold up and crews are working to make improvements to the track. Structure groups are in place and ready to protect our critical infrastructure.”
A Level 2 evacuation warning remains in effect for the Westfall area, which includes the Bonita, Indian Valley and Clover Creek communities, with residents advised to be prepared to evacuate at any time.
Evacuation levels have been lifted for residents along Highway 26 near Willow Creek, Jameson and Brogan, as well as areas on the northwest side of Vail.
Officials said the fire could affect residents living on the wildland-urban boundary northwest of Vail, a city of about 2,000 people about 75 miles west of Boise, Idaho, but the city is no longer at risk.
A fire ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County, and officials have issued temporary flight restrictions over affected areas.
There are 33 wildfires burning in Oregon, which have burned 257,000 acres.
