Publication Date June 6, 2016 | OregonLive

23,000-acre wildfire burning in Malheur County: 'Fire season starts when it decides to'

United States
The Owyhee Canyon fire in Malheur County was reported June 5, 2016, and flared to almost double in size, an estimated 23,000 acres, the next day. Photo: inciweb
The Owyhee Canyon fire in Malheur County was reported June 5, 2016, and flared to almost double in size, an estimated 23,000 acres, the next day. Photo: inciweb

A 23,000-acre fire burning in the southeastern corner of the state marks the unofficial start of Oregon's wildfire season.

The Owyhee Canyon fire in Malheur County was reported Sunday evening and flared to almost double in size Monday in windy conditions, said Larry Moore, spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's Vale District...

"Fire season starts when it decides to," Moore said, noting that climate change and invasive species have contributed to seasons that begin earlier and end later. Last year's season lasted from June through October