The Durkee Fire spread southeast toward Rye Valley overnight into Friday, July 19, and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3 evacuation notices — leave now — for homes in that area.

Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash and deputies are in the area this morning, visiting residents to let them know about the evacuation notice, said Ashley McClay, public information officer for the sheriff’s office.

She didn’t have an estimate for the number of homes or residents within the Level 3 area.

Level 2 notices — be set to leave — are also in effect for an area along Interstate 84 from near the Ash Grove Cement plant southeast to around Lime, and along the Burnt River Canyon Road and in the canyon itself to near Bridgeport.

Level 1 notices — be prepared — are also in effect for an area just west of Durkee and at the southwest corner of the fire, as well as to the northeast, including the Ash Grove Cement plant itself.

The fire, sparked by lightning on the morning of July 17, has burned 2,699 acres.

More accurate mapping has resulted in a decrease from the previous estimate of about 7,500 acres.

A total of 88 people are working on the fire, with assistance from air tankers and helicopters, according to an update Friday morning from the management team overseeing firefighting efforts.

On Thursday, 14 aircraft dropped retardant and water on the fire.

The fire spread Wednesday night to the northwest toward the Burnt River Canyon, threatening several homes, but fire crews protected those structures.

On Friday the area of concern shifted to the east and south flanks of the fire, where flames spread on Thursday night, prompting the new evacuation notices in that area.

On Friday, firefighters will continue to work to keep the fire south of the Burnt River.