Blazes Ravage Pacific Northwest: Wildfires Threaten Towns and Lives

Wildfires fueled by winds and lightning strikes are devastating the Pacific Northwest, with the Durkee Fire near the Oregon-Idaho border causing widespread damage. Firefighters are struggling to contain the rapidly spreading fires, as wind and low humidity persist. Over 1 million acres have burned in Oregon and Washington this year.

Winds and lightning strikes have sparked and fanned wildfires across the Pacific Northwest this week, including the largest fire currently burning in the U.S., which was rapidly expanding near the Oregon-Idaho border. The Durkee Fire near Huntington, Oregon, has scorched 600 square miles and is threatening several towns.

The blaze was set off by lightning on July 17, and wind gusts up to 60 mph drove the flames across brush, timberland, and ranches, killing hundreds of cattle. The fire was only 20% contained on Friday. With zero chance of rain through next week, winds have dropped and cooler air is expected, said meteorologist Marc Chenard of the National Weather Service.

As of Thursday, wildfires this year have burned almost 1 million acres in Oregon and 125,900 acres in Washington, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland, Oregon. In 2020, Oregon wildfires scorched over 1.14 million acres. In California, the Park Fire has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 in Butte County, with a suspect arrested for arson.