Firefighters in the Pacific Northwest worked hard on Tuesday to control two fires threatening small towns in Oregon. One key stretch of Interstate 84, connecting Oregon and Idaho, was closed for about 130 miles (210 kilometers) between Ontario and Baker City due to advancing flames. This crucial freeway will remain closed for at least a day, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Currently, over two dozen fires are burning across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, with Oregon being the hardest hit. More than 700,000 acres (1,093 square miles) are ablaze in the state, and 114,000 of those acres burned within just 24 hours.
Smoke from these fires is impacting air quality across eastern Oregon, Washington, and into Idaho. Firefighters are also struggling with new blazes caused by lightning strikes from late afternoon thunderstorms, which are igniting dried vegetation. Parts of Oregon and Washington are experiencing a heat wave with record-breaking temperatures.
In Oregon, the town of Huntington, with a population of 500, remained evacuated on Tuesday after a fire started late Sunday. A large smoke column collapsed during a thunderstorm, causing strong winds and prompting immediate evacuations. Firefighters are also dealing with three new fires in the same area, ignited by lightning from recent storms.
In the Columbia River Gorge, a fire that started late Monday led to urgent evacuations around the town of Mosier, with residents ordered to be ready to leave at any moment. While winds were gusting over 50 mph (80 kph) in the evening, they had eased somewhat by Tuesday.
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