With 38 significant, uncontrolled wildfires raging across 838,908 acres in Oregon and Washington, the Northwest region has become the highest firefighting priority in the United States.
Oregon bears the brunt of this devastation, with 91.5% of the total burning acreage within its borders, making it the foremost concern for firefighting efforts nationwide. According to daily updates from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC), which oversees the allocation of firefighting resources in Oregon and Washington, the federal government has designated the area as the highest priority for receiving additional firefighting support. On July 19, NWCC spokesperson Carol Connolly announced that the region had reached "planning level five," indicating that all firefighting teams in Oregon and Washington are deployed to active fires and that a high volume of wildfires is occurring across the country. This level necessitates competition for resources with nine other Interagency Coordination Centers, with allocations managed by the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.
Reaching "level five" means that firefighting resources in Oregon and Washington are heavily strained, potentially impacting the region's ability to control the fires effectively. Nevertheless, as the highest priority, the Northwest is receiving significant support from out-of-area firefighters.
"It’s a double-edged sword," said Connolly. "Being the top priority means we get more help, but it also means we’re dealing with a lot of fires."
Currently, 7,681 firefighters, 511 fire engines, and 38 helicopters are battling the fires in the Northwest. Over 80% of these firefighters are stationed in Oregon. Eastern Oregon is particularly hard-hit, with four megafires—Durkee, Cow Valley, Falls, and Lone Rock—each exceeding 100,000 acres. The Durkee Fire, located five miles southwest of Durkee, has become the largest in the state, expanding to nearly 240,000 acres.
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This wildfire season has destroyed 17 homes in Oregon so far. Fortunately, as of July 23, there have been no reported fatalities in Oregon and Washington related to the 2024 wildfire season.
