BOISE, Idaho — A wildfire burning in Oregon and spreading smoke into neighboring states is now the largest active fire in the U.S., authorities said. Firefighters are bracing for a storm expected Wednesday night that is expected to bring lightning, high winds and the risk of flash flooding.
The Durkee Fire, burning near the Oregon-Idaho border about 130 miles (209 kilometers) west of Boise, Idaho, blocked Interstate 84 for hours Tuesday as flames approached the vital corridor between the states. The highway was briefly reopened Wednesday but was then closed again as officials warned of frequent disruptions due to the nearly 400-square-mile (1,036-square-kilometer) blaze.
The town of Huntington, Oregon, home to about 500 people, remained evacuated for a third full day, and authorities warned those who remained about the approaching storm. The storm could bring winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph), lightning and heavy rain that could trigger flash flooding and debris flows in recently burned areas, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office also warned residents about the storm’s risk and the expected “abundant” lightning. The agency has mobilized nearly 500 firefighters to help protect communities that could be threatened by nearby wildfires.
The region’s largest electric utility, Idaho Power, warned customers to be prepared for possible power outages.
“Power outages and highway closures are expected. In the event the fire reaches the town of Huntington, there may be delays in assisting residents who have not previously evacuated,” the sheriff’s office said.
More than 60 large fires are raging in Oregon and Washington alone. Oregon is also being hit by hundreds of lightning strikes from thunderstorms that have sparked new fires in parched vegetation.
Smoke from Oregon’s Durkee Fire was already choking the air in Boise and the surrounding area, with an air quality advisory in effect for the entire region Wednesday.
Patrick Nauman, owner of Weiser Classic Candy in the small town of Weiser, Idaho, near the Oregon border, said driving into town Wednesday morning was “like driving in a fog bank, because it’s so thick and low over the road.”
Nauman’s shop is located at the city’s main intersection and is usually a popular place to grab lunch or a sweet treat. However, in recent days, the number of customers has halved due to thick smoke and temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius in the region.
“Yesterday you could smell it, taste it, it just stuck in your throat,” Nauman said of the smoke.
Mike Cantin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise, said cooler air moving into the region Wednesday night could fuel the Oregon fire. A red flag warning was in effect and the area is experiencing a heat wave, including many days with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
“With these winds today, any spark could very easily get out of hand. It could become a dangerous situation very quickly,” Cantin said. “Don’t set anything on fire and be very careful around grass.”
