Baker County residents and visitors displaced by the Frontage Fire near Huntington, Oregon received welcome news this week as evacuation levels across the affected area have been reduced following the fire reaching 100% containment. At its most dangerous, the fire prompted GO NOW orders for Farewell Bend State Park and evacuation notices for southeast Huntington, affecting campground visitors and nearby residents along the Snake River corridor.

Evacuation Orders at Peak

When the Frontage Fire ignited on the evening of June 6 and rapidly spread under gale-force winds, emergency managers in Baker County issued immediate evacuation orders for the most at-risk areas. Farewell Bend State Park — a heavily used campground and day-use area on Brownlee Reservoir along I-84 — was placed under a Level 3 GO NOW order, requiring immediate departure of all campers and visitors. Southeast Huntington was also subject to evacuation orders as the fire burned toward the community.

The closures also affected travel on Interstate 84 and Highway 30, which were temporarily shut down as the fire crossed roadways overnight. Motorists were diverted as smoke and active flame made travel through the corridor hazardous.

Reduced Levels and Return

As firefighters established containment lines and fire behavior moderated on June 8, Baker County emergency management officials reduced evacuation levels across the affected zones. Residents who had left southeast Huntington were given the green light to return, and state park officials began assessing conditions at Farewell Bend for eventual reopening.

Travelers planning to use I-84 through the Huntington area should confirm road conditions via ODOT TripCheck, and campers with reservations at Farewell Bend State Park should contact Oregon State Parks directly to check on campground status and any closures that may remain in effect.

Knowing Your Evacuation Level

Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system that applies to wildfires and other emergencies:

  • Level 1 — BE READY: Be aware of the hazard and be prepared to leave on short notice. Have go-bags ready.
  • Level 2 — BE SET: Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Vulnerable populations should consider leaving now.
  • Level 3 — GO NOW: Leave immediately. Do not wait for further instructions. There is immediate danger to life.

Residents in fire-prone areas of eastern Oregon are encouraged to sign up for Nixle or their county's emergency alert system to receive real-time evacuation notifications. Baker County emergency information is available through the Baker County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management's Ready.Oregon.gov portal.