The Cram Fire exploded to 28,000 acres on July 15, shut down Highway 97 north of Madras and has degraded air quality in central Oregon.

Gusty, shifting winds and high temperatures have caused a wildfire in central Oregon to spread rapidly, reaching more than 40,000 acres and prompting evacuations from ranches and communities in two counties, the authorities said on Tuesday.

A wildfire that started Sunday evening in Jefferson and Wasco counties has quickly grown to become the largest active wildfire in Oregon, according to Central Oregon Fire. The Cram fire, off of mile post 76 on Highway 97 near Willowdale and northeast of Pony Butte Road,