Oregon’s largest wildfire tops 100,000 acres, still 0% contained

The Double Creek Fire, burning in Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, nearly doubled again in size Wednesday, due to hot, dry conditions and gusty winds.

Fire officials reported Thursday morning that the fire has now grown to 100,977 acres. And it’s still 0% contained. The town of Imnaha and areas just north and south are under Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations.

A total of 553 fire personnel are assigned to the Double Creek Fire as of Thursday morning. The fire has been burning since Aug. 30 and was caused by lightning.

A nearby group of three fires in the Eagle Cap Wilderness is burning another 30,000 acres.

In Central Oregon, the Cedar Creek Fire east of Oakridge is over 30,000 acres and 18% contained. That fire has spurred new Level 3 evacuations for several recreational areas and campgrounds in Linn, Deschutes, and Klamath counties.

Forecasters are warning of extreme fire conditions across the state into the weekend. Most of Oregon will be under fire weather watches and warnings from early Friday through late Saturday night, and thousands have been informed they may experience shutoffs of their power.