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BROGAN – Thursday the firefighters of Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Task Force 9, Multnomah County, were in central Oregon, fighting the Larch Creek Fire near Dufur.
Then their mission changed. They were desperately needed in Brogan to help protect homes and other structures from the Cow Valley Fire.
“We came off the line and drove all night,” said task force member Capt. Chris Starling.
Friday, members of the task force were deployed around Brogan, ready to protect homes from the Cow Valley Fire that has so far burned more than 70,000 acres.
Task force leaders said the group will most likely be stationed to protect Brogan until Sunday but could be in town longer, depending on the behavior of the Cow Valley Fire. The task force stood down Friday afternoon and returned to Vale for rest. The group planned to be back at Brogan early Saturday morning.
The task force will soon be joined by two others from Lane and Marion counties, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office. The additional resources come as Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which allows the Oregon state fire marshal to mobilize resources to battle the out-of-control fire.
The National Weather Service has forecast abundant lightning, temperatures exceeding 100, and heavy wind this weekend.
“The weather conditions we are seeing across Oregon are extremely concerning. The forecast over the weekend for much of Eastern Oregon will not be doing us any favors,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.
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