Current:Home > StocksRail Ridge wildfire in Oregon consumes over 60,000 acres; closes area of national forest-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Rail Ridge wildfire in Oregon consumes over 60,000 acres; closes area of national forest
View
Date:2024-12-23 19:37:01
The Rail Ridge Fire in central Oregon has set over 61,000 acres ablaze and is 0% contained.
The wildfire was discovered on September 2, according to USA TODAY's data. It's located in Dayville, around 240 miles southeast of Portland.
There are two forests, the Umatilla National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest, that surround the fire, which is primarily fueled by tall grass and brush.
As of 1:33 a.m., the fire has not been contained and has caused over $115,000 in damages. But only four houses are in the area where the fire is burning.
Storm tracker:National Hurricane Center tracking 3 tropical disturbances in Atlantic
What caused the fire?
The fire was caused by lightning.
Several lightning strikes caused multiple fires, which combined and became the Rail Ridge Fire, according to Central Oregon Fire's website.
Rail Ridge wildfire map
Forest closures
Rail Ridge and another fire, PR778, led to the Malheur National Forest closing areas of the forests from September 3 to December 31, 2024, according to a press release published by the United States Department of Agriculture.
"To protect public health and safety, fire managers have closed the area described below due to fire activity and fire suppression operations," it stated.
Another fire in Oregon
The closure comes as another fire, the Copperfield Fire, brought level 3 “go now” evacuation orders east of Chiloquin and north of Klamath Falls, around 250 miles southwest of the Rail Ridge fire.
The fire quickly grew as strong winds on Monday fanned the flames.
“Due to unfavorable weather conditions, this is a rapidly evolving incident,” Teresa Williams, forester for the Klamath-Lake District, said. “We’re grateful to have the help of the incident management teams in managing and working to contain this fire and protect our communities.”
An evacuation map can be found here. The evacuation center was located at the Klamath Falls Fairgrounds.
National wildfire map
Near-record heat to bring high fire danger late this week
Temperatures across Oregon are forecast to spike near record levels and bring much higher wildfire risk later this week.
Temperatures are forecast to rise above 90 Wednesday and even crack 100 degrees Thursday and Friday. The hot and dry conditions, in addition to winds in the Cascade Mountains, could lead to high fire danger and growth.
However, no extreme east winds similar to 2020 or 2022, which led to major fire destruction and power shutoffs, are currently projected.
One interesting note: the last time the Willamette Valley saw temperatures crack 100 degrees in September was Sept. 2, 2017. That was the same day the Eagle Creek Fire ignited in the Columbia Gorge.
Other fires in central Oregon
- Wiley Flat Fire
- Oak Canyon Fire
- Shoe Fly Fire
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz.
veryGood! (68214)
Related
- Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
- Emma Heming Shares Sweet Tribute to Husband Bruce Willis Celebrating 16 Years Together
- Was 2023 a tipping point for movies? ‘Barbie’ success and Marvel struggles may signal a shift
- Almost 10 million workers in 22 states will get raises on January 1. See where wages are rising.
- At age 44, Rich Hill's baseball odyssey continues - now with Team USA
- A Battle Is Underway Over California’s Lucrative Dairy Biogas Market
- Taylor Swift fan died of heat exhaustion during Rio concert, officials report
- Casinos, hospital ask judge to halt Atlantic City road narrowing, say traffic could cost jobs, lives
- Here's Your First Look at The White Lotus Season 3 With Blackpink’s Lisa and More Stars
- $1.58 billion Mega Millions winner in Florida revealed
Ranking
- Infowars auction could determine whether Alex Jones is kicked off its platforms
- The $7,500 tax credit for electric cars will see big changes in 2024. What to know
- T.J. Holmes needs to 'check out' during arguments with Amy Robach: 'I have to work through it'
- Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt pleads guilty to abusing children with YouTube mom Ruby Franke
- Justice Department sues to block UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion purchase of Amedisys
- Editing Reality (2023)
- Utah Couple Dies in Car Crash While Driving to Share Pregnancy News With Family
- Myopia affects 4 in 10 people and may soon affect 5 in 10. Here's what it is and how to treat it.
Recommendation
Judge recuses himself in Arizona fake elector case after urging response to attacks on Kamala Harris
2023 will be the hottest year on record. Is this how it's going to be now?
Social media companies made $11 billion in US ad revenue from minors, Harvard study finds
On the headwaters of the Klamath River, water shortages test tribes, farmers and wildlife
Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
Denver police investigating threats against Colorado Supreme Court justices after ruling disqualifying Trump from holding office
Can you sell unwanted gift cards for cash? Here's what you need to know
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s Christmas Gift for Baby Rocky Will Make You the Happiest on Earth