PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Firefighters scrambled on Friday to control a raging inferno in southeastern Oregon thats spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous conflagrations across the U.S. West that are straining resources.

Authorities ordered a new round of evacuations Thursday amid worries the Bootleg Fire, which has already destroyed 21 homes, could merge with another blaze that also grew explosively amid dry and blustery conditions.