The 245,000-acre fire, worsened by thunderstorms and strong winds, is so big it’s even creating its own weather.
The Biggest Blaze in the US
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A massive wildfire currently burning near the Oregon–Idaho border, about 130 miles west of Boise, Idaho, has officially been called the biggest active blaze in the US – so big, in fact, that it’s creating its own weather!
One Hell of a Fire
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Lighting is what sparked the ‘Durkee fire’, which has since then evolved in size to almost 245,000 acres.
Making matters worse are strong winds and thunderstorms’ continuous lightning strikes hitting the state’s eastern part on Wednesday afternoon.
Danger All Around
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In addition to threatening homes in and surrounding the communities of Durkee, Huntington, and Rye Valley, the flames also pose a risk to a major highway, cell towers, plus the area’s power infrastructure.
A Family of Flames
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Altogether 22 states’ fire-fighting crews and equipment were helping to fight the fire.
At the moment, Oregon and Washington are battling over 60 significant wildfires. And the hundreds of lightning strikes from thunderstorms afflicting the state have kickstarted fresh fires among the bone-dry vegetation.
Interesting, but Scary
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A meteorologist with Boise’s National Weather Service, Stephen Parker, claims the Durkee fire’s dangerous behavior from Saturday to Monday started creating its own weather system with a “pyrocumulus cloud”.
How Does It Work?
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According to Parker: “That can happen when a fire becomes plume-dominated. It’s like a thunderstorm on top of the fire, generated by the heat of the fire.”
Fascinating, Yet Risky
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Parker added that thanks to the pyrocumulus cloud, the fire’s smoke and ash are able to move up much higher in the air than normal. And if the air above the fire holds enough moisture, the pyrocumulus cloud will also be able to produce rain and lightning, which might lead to new fires in the area.
Stuck in the Dark
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The region’s large electricity utility, Idaho Power, issued warnings that customers had to prepare for possible outages – which was implemented late Wednesday afternoon, leaving almost 7,000 people without electricity.
Flee While You Can
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According to the sheriff’s office: “Power outages and freeway closures are expected. In the event that the fire reaches the City of Huntington, there may be delays in assisting residents that have not previously evacuated.”
Worsened by the Wind
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Because of the large fire scorching up the area, a part of Interstate 84 had to be closed off again on Wednesday.
Together with fast-forming storms appearing in the afternoon, the fire hopped across the interstate near Huntington town, where about 500 people live.
Not Safe
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City officials also confirmed that until the evacuation orders are lifted, gas service to all residents had been turned off.
Now They’re Merging!
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Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said the blaze also joined up with the Cow Valley fire, another giant one that had been burning nearby.
Get Out Now
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On Sunday, Huntington residents had to evacuate to dodge the nearly 420-square-mile fire.
By Wednesday, city officials used Facebook to warn all residents remaining in town, particularly those with “major health issues”, to leave their homes due to the smoke from the wildfire and power outage.
Fighting Against Nature
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“The wildfires in Eastern Oregon have scaled up quickly,” Kotek stated in a news release on Wednesday evening. “We are facing strong erratic winds over the region that could impact all fires. Rain is not getting through. Some communities do not have power.”
Kotek said the National Guard had been deployed to the area.
This Isn’t the First
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Only earlier this month, the increased danger of wildfires had caused Kotek to declare an “extended state of emergency.” She stated: “I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials.”
Kotek also implored residents to subscribe to emergency alerts, set up an evacuation plan, make a go-kit, and keep up to date with the changing situation.
More Help Needed
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On Wednesday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office also deployed nearly 500 firefighters to safeguard communities at risk of any spreading wildfires.
Nearing Hurricane Weather?
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As stated by Boise’s National Weather Service (NWS), the storms could create strong wind gusts raging up to a speed of 70 mph, with visibility severely reduced by the blowing dust.
The weather service stated that about 44 miles northwest of Huntington near Baker City, a storm with a wind gust of 66 mph was logged on Wednesday afternoon.
Floods Expected
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Authorities also warned that wind, lightning, and heavy downpours could lead to flash floods and push debris into the recently burned areas.
Huntington and a nearby burn scar area received flash-flood warnings.
But That’s Not All
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On Tuesday, various lightning-sparked wildfires sprung up near the California-Nevada border, resulting in the evacuation of a recreation area, a closed state highway, and threatened structures.
About 50 miles northwest of Reno, a summer camp near Portola with nearly 200 children and staff had to be evacuated.
It’s Getting Worse
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Recent heatwaves and record-breaking droughts linked to climate change have made fighting wildfires much more difficult in the western US.
But it seems to be far from over: scientists are warning that the climate crisis has heated and dried up the region considerably over the past 30 years. This is sure to worsen the already extreme weather in addition to making wildfires more frequent and disastrous.
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