OREGON-IDAHO BORDER (RFD NEWS) — A massive wildfire burning across the Oregon-Idaho border is nearing 600,000 acres, making it one of the largest wildfires in the U.S. so far this year.
The Big Grass Fire started in southeastern Oregon before spreading into southwestern Idaho. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the fire has burned more than 550,000 acres and could soon surpass the Morrill Fire in western Nebraska as the nation’s largest wildfire of the year.
Rippey says smoke remains the biggest concern for agriculture, with wildfire smoke affecting air quality and visibility across the region.
Smoke has spread eastward across the Northern Great Plains and into parts of the Northern and Central Rockies. Higher-level smoke has also traveled across the country, creating hazy conditions and reddish-orange sunrises and sunsets as far east as the Eastern U.S.
More than 19,000 firefighters are currently assigned to wildfires across the Pacific Northwest, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The U.S. Forest Service also has nearly 6,000 personnel supporting more than 100 active wildfires nationwide.
As wildfire activity continues, agriculture officials are monitoring smoke, visibility and air quality impacts on producers, livestock and crops.
