Update: Aug. 9
The fire has burned an estimated 19,250 acres as of Friday morning, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s infrared map.
Light to moderate winds contributed to reduced fire behavior in many areas around the fire’s perimeter, fire officials said Thursday night. The most active areas remain on the north and northeastern sides of the fire. Threats to the nearby communities of Halfway and Richland appear minimal as the fire progresses into Whitman National Forest.
Update: Aug. 8
Officials created the “Town Gulch Fire Information 2024” Facebook page to share updates on the fire.
The fire has so far burned an estimated 18,500 acres after crews established a perimeter. Division Alpha section of the perimeter, near a firebreak close to the city of Richland, remained cold overnight while the Division Mike area’s direct dozer line near the community of Halfway held strong while structure crews remain in the area for structure triage.
Click here to watch the deputy operations chief’s update.
Update: Aug. 7
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for Oregon residents near the Town Gulch Fire, which has burned nearly 18,000 acres as of Wednesday morning.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the wildfire, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to wildfires that threaten life, safety, and property while exceeding the capabilities of local firefighting personnel. Kotek has invoked the act nine times since the start of 2024.
The wildfire is burning around eight miles northwest of Richland. Communities under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders include areas south of McBride Campground to Carson Creek and west of Carson Creek to Valley View Lane then west of Lee Creek to Foothill Ditch, and areas west of Foothill Ditch to Orr Hill Lane and Lone Fir Road intersection then following along the base of the hill to north of Highway 86, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. Multiple other areas are under “Set” and “Ready” orders.
“Although overnight fire growth and activity was minimal, hot, dry, windy conditions on Tuesday contributed to the Town Gulch Fire being extremely active,” the USFS Wallowa Whitman National Forest said. “Fifteen aircraft assisted the suppression effort Tuesday, conducting both water and retardant drops. Additional ground resources arrived Tuesday morning, bringing total personnel to 112. Intense fire behavior Tuesday afternoon resulted in all resources focusing on structure protection.”
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Incident Management Team was sent to fight the fire, along with four structural task forces.
The fire was first reported to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at around 9:30 a.m. Monday, USFS said. The fire spread to around 350 acres by late afternoon Monday and burned an estimated 800 acres as of Tuesday afternoon. The fire then topped the West Wall and started burning downslope in heavy timber toward Pine Valley, growing to 10,000 acres Tuesday night.
The American Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon opened an evacuation shelter at the Lions Club in Halfway for those affected by the fire.
Residents are urged to follow the Baker County Sheriff’s Office for updates on the wildfire.
