Cow Valley fire in Malheur County grows to 81,000 acres

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Fire crews continue to battle the Cow Valley Fire, burning near the town of Brogan in Oregon’s Malheur County, which now covers over 125 square miles as of Saturday afternoon.

The blaze sits at an estimated 81,000 acres with 0% containment, according to the State of Oregon’s Fires and Hotspots Dashboard.

So far, officials say the fire has destroyed four homes and is threatening 20.

In light of this, the Fire Marshal mobilized task forces from Umatilla, Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties to control what officials described as a “fast-moving wildfire,” pushed by strong winds and triple-digit temperatures.

Gov. Tina Kotek also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire on Friday, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations: The Brogan and Brogan Canyon areas.

The Fire Marshal said any evacuation notices will be issued by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office. Further, Malheur County Emergency Management and the Red Cross have a shelter in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds.