In the morning of July 12, 2024, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Cow Valley Fire in Malheur County, Ore.
Courtesy of the Oregon State Fire Marshal
A wildfire that broke out Thursday in Oregon’s Malheur County has grown to over 83,000 acres. The Cow Valley Fire was moving toward the Malheur Reservoir and threatening 30 to 40 homes in the Brogan area as of midday Friday.
On Friday, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize several of its resources to help people and their property threatened by the fire.
“The weather conditions we are seeing across Oregon are extremely concerning. The forecast over the weekend for much of Eastern Oregon will not be doing us any favors,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a press release. “The state has seen numerous human-caused wildfires over the last few weeks, and I am asking everyone to be careful and aware of the extreme fire conditions, especially with lightning in the forecast.”
No evacuation notices had been issued for the Cow Valley Fire as of noon Friday, but residents were advised to prepare to leave their homes should conditions worsen.
According to the Vale Bureau of Land Management District, the fire was being pushed by gusty winds, triple-digit temperatures and low humidity, causing substantial growth in the last 12 hours.
The Red Cross and the Malheur County Emergency Management set up a shelter in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds.
Kotek also extended a state of emergency on Friday due to the imminent threat of wildfires beginning on July 12, 2024, and continuing through Oct. 1, 2024. The extension will allow the state to disperse additional resources to communities in need.
“I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions,” Gov. Kotek said in a press release.
For more information on the Cow Valley Fire or possible evacuations, visit the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.