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Since the Dry Gulch Fire erupted in eastern Oregon on Saturday,
it has charred more than 20,000 acres in dry, windy conditions,
prompting officials to evacuate more than 100 homes on Monday.
Authorities told residents of about 275 homes outside the
community of Richland to stand by for possible evacuation
orders, according to the state Department of Forestry.
"The rapidly growing Dry Gulch Fire is a reminder that fire
danger is still high across much of the state,” Governor Kate
Brown said in a statement.
"With homes and lives in the balance, we must quickly devote the
resources and coordination needed,” said Brown, who called on
the state fire marshal to send additional equipment and
firefighters to assist the local battle against the blaze.
Organizers of Cycle Oregon, an annual event expected to bring
more than 2,000 bike riders through eastern Oregon this week,
said in a statement on their website they were monitoring fire
reports and hoped to allow riders to continue as scheduled.
(Reporting by Courtney Sherwood in Portland, Ore.; Editing by
Dan Whitcomb and Peter Cooney)
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