Fires near Idaho border deemed suspicious, reward offered for information

Fire investigators and law enforcement officials believe the Cow Valley Fire, Bonita Fire and other small wildfires in the Malheur Reservoir area are “human-caused and suspicious in nature,” according to a Bureau of Land Management news release.

As of Thursday morning, the Cow Valley Fire was over 130,000 acres and nearly 80 percent contained. It is located about 10 miles northwest of Vale, Oregon. The Bonita Fire was just under 3,000 acres and 90 percent contained, according to a news release from fire officials. The fires all started between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on July 11, according to the BLM.

“A monetary reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the person(s) responsible,” BLM said in a statement. “Anyone with information about any of these incidents should call We Tip Anonymous at 1-800-47-ARSON, online at wetip.com or via the QR code posted.”

Ranchers have lost their feed due to the Cow Valley Fire, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help donate hay to “struggling ranchers.”

Multiple agencies are investigating the fire: the BLM Vale District, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police.