Cow Valley Fire becomes 'megafire' reaching nearly 130K acres in Malheur County
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 129,195 acres with 0% containment, according to the State of Oregon’s Fires and Hotspots Dashboard as of 6 a.m. Monday morning.
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: Westfall area including the Bonita, Indian Valley, Clover Creek areas.
Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuations: Highway 26 Corridor near Willow Creek, Jaimeson, and Brogan. Northwest of Vale near 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.
A shelter has been established in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds by Malheur County Emergency Management and The Red Cross.
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.
Officials report the fire was “human caused,” but the exact catalyst is still under investigation.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.