Level 2 ‘Be Set’ evacuations put in place as Cow Valley Fire grows to over 114,000 acres
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Fire crews are not only continuing to battle the Cow Valley Fire, but protecting towns and critical infrastructure in the area, since the fire now covers over 178 square miles as of Sunday afternoon.
As a result, new evacuation orders have been put in place for the surrounding areas, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced.
The blaze, burning near the town of Brogan in Oregon’s Malheur County, sits at an estimated 141,559 acres with 0% containment, according to the State of Oregon’s Fires and Hotspots Dashboard.
So far, officials say the fire has destroyed four homes and is threatening 20. They are also concerned about the blaze advancing towards a geothermal power plant.
As of Sunday, officials say the fire remains both northwest and west of Brogan and west of Highway 26 near Jamieson and Vale.
Level 2 “Be Set” evacuations: Residents along Highway 26 from Brogan to Willow Creek. This includes residents located north and west of Range Road (also known as Reservoir Road).
Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations: The Westfall and Vale communities.
In light of this, 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.
Gov. Tina Kotek also 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.
The Fire Marshal said any evacuation notices will be issued by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office. Further, Malheur County Emergency Management and the Red Cross have a shelter in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds.
Stay with KOIN 6 News for updates on this fire.
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