PHOTO: The Durkee Fire, which started last week in Baker County, grew to nearly 270,000 acres by Thursday morning, and its perimeter was still listed as 0% contained. Storms Wednesday night brought nearly 3,000 lightning strikes across the region, according to the National Weather Service.
But the Baker County Sheriff’s Office said the storms also brought much-needed rain. The sheriff called the rainfall a “godsend.” Some evacuation levels near the town of Huntington were actually lowered overnight from Level 3 — Go Now! — to Level 1 — Be Ready, meaning those who left their homes could return.
Amid rapidly forming storms Wednesday afternoon, the blaze has crossed Interstate 84 near Huntington, home to about 500 people.
It also merged with the Cow Valley Fire, another large blaze that had been burning nearby, Gov. Tina Kotek said.