In Oregon and Washington, the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge exploded across more than 32,000 acres as it merged with another wildfire, fueled by heat and winds, and forced evacuations.
A 45-mile stretch of Interstate 84 east of Portland was shut down to vehicle traffic from Troutdale to The Dalles, and the Coast Guard closed a 20-mile section of the Columbia River to vessel traffic Tuesday night. Officials say the Eagle Creek Fire was apparently started by misuse of fireworks.
Oregon State Police confirmed Tuesday that a 15-year-old Vancouver, Washington, boy is believed to have been in a group responsible and the incident is under investigation. (AP, KOMO)
Meanwhile, across Montana, the Lolo Peak Fire continues to burn north of the Idaho border, west of Highway 93 near the town of Florence.
The 48,000 acre fire is about 31 percent contained, as it burns actively on several fronts. An evacuation order is in effect for all residents in the area west of Highway 93 on the north side of Bass Creek Road.
The Rice Ridge Fire has torched more than 108,000 acres northeast of Missoula near Seeley Lake. While evacuation orders are being downgraded, the fire continues to grow and is only 2 percent contained.
More than 14,000 acres have been blackened by the Ibex Fire burning west of Challis, Idaho, eleven miles west of Twin Peaks Lookout in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
