Cow Valley Fire becomes ‘megafire’ reaching nearly 130K acres in Malheur County

Aimee Plante

July 16, 2024 at 2:45 AM·2 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Cow Valley Fire continues to burn in Malheur County as the blaze becomes a megafire spanning more than 200 square miles.

The wildfire sits at an estimated 129,367 acres with 0% containment, according to the State of Oregon’s Fires and Hotspots Dashboard as of 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Moulton Falls bridge jumper saved in dramatic rescue

Over the weekend, the Fire Marshal mobilized task forces from Umatilla, Multnomah, Marion, Lane and Clatsop counties to control what officials described as a “fast-moving wildfire” pushed by strong winds and triple-digit temperatures.

“Fire activity on the Cow Valley Fire has picked up on the southern side of the fire and preparations should be made in case weather conditions and fire behavior increase,” officials said in a post on social media.

Level 2 “Get Set” evacuations remain in place for Westfall area including the Bonita, Indian Valley, Clover Creek areas.

Meanwhile, evacuation levels have lifted for residents of Highway 26 Corridor near Willow Creek, Jaimeson, and Brogan and the area just northwest of Vale, including Graham Boulevard and North, Alder Road and west.

Officials clarified that those living on the Wildland/Urban Interface north west of Vale may be impacted by the fire, but the city of Vale is currently not in danger. Any further evacuation notices will be issued by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office.

Two-alarm fire knocked down in Southeast Portland commercial building

A shelter has been established in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds by Malheur County Emergency Management and The Red Cross. It will disband Tuesday at noon, but “if citizens are evacuated from the Westfall area, plans have been made and a shelter will be set up in Vale.”

Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire on Friday, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

Officials report the fire was “human caused,” but the exact catalyst is still under investigation.

Crews battle the Cow Valley Fire on Jul. 14, 2024. (Oregon State Fire Marshal)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
The Cow Valley Fire in Malheur County has reached 16,000 acres, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said. July 11, 2024 (courtesy Oregon State Fire Marshal).