Durkee Fire (ORVAD)

First Reported: 2024-07-18 16:35:25 UTC on July 18, 2024
Inciweb page: ORVAD Durkee Fire
Size: 294265 Acres
Type: Wildfire
Status: Field Active
Percent Contained: 95%
Durkee Fire (2024-07-18)
294,265 acre wildfire (95% contained)
Baker City, Oregon, United States
Nearby Fires:
Limepoint Fire (2024-07-26)
33,084 acre wildfire (100% contained)
Council, Idaho, United States
Lava Fire (2024-09-07)
97,585 acre wildfire (94% contained)
Cascade, Idaho, United States

Wildfire Status:

The Durkee Fire, which ignited due to lightning at approximately 9:30 a.m. on July 17, 2024, is currently 95% contained, covering an area of 294,265 acres. Firefighters have made significant progress in managing the blaze and are now engaged in suppression repair efforts. The Southern Area Gold Complex Incident Management Team is set to transfer the management of the fire back to local units by 8 p.m. PDT today, reflecting the effective response and containment achieved so far.

Despite the impressive containment efforts, the fire danger remains elevated. The region is experiencing warm temperatures, with forecasts predicting highs near 100 degrees and relative humidity levels dropping into the low teens. These dry conditions, coupled with critically low moisture in the fuels, pose a substantial risk for potential flare-ups, particularly in areas impacted by recent lightning storms. Fire officials are on alert for any new starts and are prepared for aggressive fire behavior should such incidents occur.

Current weather conditions include sunny skies and light winds from the west and northwest, contributing to a moderate smoke outlook across East Central Oregon. While the immediate threat to containment is low, the fire's potential to spread outside the established perimeter increases with the forecasted heat and dryness. Planned actions include securing the fire line, focusing on mop-up operations, and conducting aerial infrared flights to identify any residual heat. As the situation evolves, fire agencies continue to monitor conditions closely to ensure the safety of personnel and the surrounding communities.

Visit Inciweb Incident Page for more information. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only.

Containment History:

Date Percent Contained
2024-07-19 0% contained
2024-07-24 0% contained
2024-07-26 20% contained
2024-07-27 27% contained
2024-07-29 49% contained
2024-07-30 51% contained
2024-07-31 52% contained
2024-08-01 58% contained
2024-08-02 63% contained
2024-08-03 68% contained
2024-08-04 80% contained
2024-08-05 86% contained
2024-08-06 90% contained
2024-11-12 95% contained

Fire Growth History:

Date Fire Size (Acres) Fire Size (Square Miles) Fire Size (Square Kilometers)
2024-07-19 2699 acres 4.2 sq mi 10.8 sq km
2024-07-20 70402 acres 110.0 sq mi 281.6 sq km
2024-07-21 116431 acres 181.9 sq mi 465.7 sq km
2024-07-22 173758 acres 271.5 sq mi 695.0 sq km
2024-07-23 239255 acres 373.8 sq mi 957.0 sq km
2024-07-24 244842 acres 382.6 sq mi 979.4 sq km
2024-07-25 268492 acres 419.5 sq mi 1074.0 sq km
2024-07-29 288690 acres 451.1 sq mi 1154.8 sq km
2024-07-30 293390 acres 458.4 sq mi 1173.6 sq km
2024-08-03 293882 acres 459.2 sq mi 1175.5 sq km
2024-08-05 294690 acres 460.5 sq mi 1178.8 sq km
2024-11-12 294265 acres 459.8 sq mi 1177.1 sq km