Rain helps crews as NE Oregon fire tops 17,500 acres

Rainfall and cooler temperatures helped 160 firefighters on Monday reach 20 percent containment of the Dry Gulch Fire in northeast Oregon, which nevertheless grew to 17,536 acres.

The precipitation led to reduce fired activity, and crews expect to fully contain the fire by Saturday, if all goes well. As a result, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office Monday evening dropped Level 3 evacuation orders to Level 2, which meant residents still need to be ready to leave quickly.

“The situation still warrants residents exercising extreme caution and being aware,” the announcement said.

There were breezy winds but cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity on the fire burning northwest of Richland. Crews worked to stop it from spreading farther east into the rugged terrain near the Snake River.

Gov. Kate Brown earlier Monday invoked the state Conflagration Act, which mobilized fire crews from other areas of the state to protect homes and businesses in the fire’s path.