Town Gulch Fire Exhibits Rapid Growth, Prompting Additional Evacuations

 BAKER CITY, Ore. (Aug. 06, 2024) – Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued additional evacuation levels for areas around the Town Gulch Fire. For the most current list of Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations, follow the sheriff’s office on Facebook (tinyurl.com/3auvka4j). Residents should sign up to receive emergency notifications through Baker County ALERT (tinyurl.com/884czdrf).

American Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon has opened an evacuation shelter at the Lions Club of Halfway (225 Lions Street, Halfway, Ore.). For more evacuation-shelter information, call 800-853-2570.

Although overnight fire growth and activity was minimal, hot, dry, windy conditions on Tuesday contributed to the Town Gulch Fire being extremely active. Early afternoon the fire crossed to the east side of Eagle Creek and quickly spread to the southeast. By midafternoon, the fire was estimated to be about 800 acres. It continued to progress southward in the Eagle Creek drainage to just north of New Bridge. The fire also spread eastward, crossing Forest Road 77. As of this evening, the fire has topped the West Wall and is currently burning downslope in heavy timber toward Pine Valley. It is estimated to be 10,000 acres.

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.

Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) is sending its Blue Incident Management Team (IMT) and four structural task forces to the incident to help Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 IMT manage this rapidly evolving fire.