By Bryan Dorr
TYGH VALLEY, Ore.-A severe thunderstorm rumbled through northern central Oregon on Tuesday afternoon, igniting several new wildfires.
Lighting strikes ignited several dozen grass fires throughout Wasco County, concentrated in the area between the towns of Maupin and Dufur.
A grass fire ignited at the south end of Tygh Valley just east of U.S. 197. From the same location along U.S. 197, smoke plumes were also spotted east of Tygh Valley around Sherars Bridge area and on a hillside north of Ore. 216.
Other new grass fires were observed between Tygh Valley and Dufur, and more along Ore. 216 near Wapanitia and Pine Grove on Tuesday.
Fire crews were at some of the fires, attempting to extinguish or contain the fire.
Many fires have appeared to be away from buildings at the time. One fire along Ore. 216 near Pine Grove did approach close to an abandoned barn, but it was unscathed.
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