Baker County has never endured a more severe heat wave, nor a larger wildfire.

The Durkee Fire, sparked by lightning on July 17, had, as of July 26, burned 288,000 acres in Baker and Malheur counties. It was the largest blaze so far this year in the nation.

Fortunately, no homes have been lost in Baker County.

Lightning from a second thunderstorm, on July 22, ignited several other fires between Interstate 84 and Highway 86 that are being managed as the Badlands Complex, with another 51,000 acres burned — but again, no homes lost.

A cold front that swept through on July 24 broke the heat wave and also brought rain that gave firefighters a brief but meaningful advantage.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/baker-county-sheriff-volunteers-others-running-ragged-dealing-with-fires-evacuation-notifications/article_ff99609a-4b61-11ef-a3fc-8f800a030add.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/weather-turns-from-antagonist-to-ally-for-crews-fighting-durkee-fire-blaze-20-contained/article_6b8594e8-4a83-11ef-aa12-f3f99c80c7e7.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/durkee-fire-officials-give-update-on-oregons-and-nations-biggest-blaze/article_7658f2a0-4a2b-11ef-9800-8fa365cfe7b0.html

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/running-all-over-the-place-volunteer-fire-bosses-describe-efforts-to-save-homes-from-wildfires/article_ad9e9a36-49d0-11ef-8efc-5f6b0137b463.html

The cold front also spawned gale-force winds that toppled trees and snapped limbs around Baker City, resulting in a power outage.

https://www.bakercityherald.com/news/local/storm-batters-baker-city-with-66-mph-winds-heavy-rain/article_e3b05a10-4aed-11ef-8ac7-0b2a147e765a.html