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Wildfire burns 40,000 acres near Willowcreek, freeway reopens

Fire burns into the ridges north of Willowcreek on June 28. The wildfire started on private land and spread to BLM ground. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

UPDATE 11:55 a.m. Wednesday, June 29 – Wednesday, June 29 – Bureau of Land Management and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations resources are holding the Willowcreek fire line at Interstate 84, and no structures are threatened. The burn spread between Moores Hollow Road and I-84. With light winds, it’s holding well, according to BLM. The BLM will make an announcement about an investigation as soon as possible while it continues to monitor the fire.

The Willowcreek fire grew to an estimated 40,000 acres overnight. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds slowed the fire, the BLM reported. Winds are forecast to be lighter than they were on Wednesday.

The range fire started on private property near Willowcreek on Tuesday, June 28.

The fire spread heavy smoke over Malheur County, and triggered the closure of Interstate 84 for several hours. The freeway was open again on Wednesday morning, according to Oregon Tripcheck.

The blaze is burning on Bureau of Land Management land in grass and sagebrush.

The Vale Fire Department on its Facebook page warned area residents about smoke and asked that spectators not to travel to Willowcreek.

“It’s is extremely smoky outside and most likely will continue to be. Please stay indoors and out of the smoke as much as you can especially those with respiratory issues,” the agency said.

“Also please do not drive out to the fire line. More fire crews are making their way to the fire and for the publics and our firefighters safety please do not clog up road that they may need to use to access the fire,” the social media post continued.

Cattle stand inside their pen at a feedlot as flames from the Willowcreek Fire spread across nearby hills two miles north of Willowcreek on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

Fire burns into the ridges north of Willowcreek on June 28. The wildfire started on private land and spread to BLM ground. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

Smoke from the Willowcreek Fire in Malheur County clogged the airshed throughout the region on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

A Vale Fire Department firefighter stands by as a crew protects a home, outbuilding and feedlot from the Willowcreek Fire two miles north of Willowcreek, Ore. on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

Community members move into action as they spot more flames from the Willowcreek Fire on the horizon outside a home and outbuilding two miles north of Willowcreek on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

A crew of firefighters stand by as they protect a home, outbuilding and feedlot from the Willowcreek Fire two miles north of Willowcreek, Ore. on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

A crew of firefighters stand by as they protect a home, outbuilding and feedlot from the Willowcreek Fire two miles north of Willowcreek, Ore. on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

A crew of firefighters stand by as they protect a home, outbuilding and feedlot from the Willowcreek Fire two miles north of Willowcreek, Ore. on June 28. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

Fire burns into the ridges east of Willowcreek on June 28. The wildfire started on private land and spread to BLM ground. (The Enterprise/ISAAC WASSERMAN)

RELATED COVERAGE:

UPDATE: Range fire burns out of control near Willowcreek, covers 15,000 acres as smoke closes Interstate 84

NEWS TIP? Contact Isaac Wasserman: [email protected]