Oregon's wildfire season shows no signs of slowing, with 1.3 million acres already burned or currently burning across the state, and 34 large fires still active. Five of these fires have each consumed over 100,000 acres.
Via the Idaho Capital Sun, Carol Connolly, spokesperson for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC), noted the severity of the situation. "We are on a trend of possibly setting a record in the state of Oregon for the amount of acres affected by fire," she told the Capital Chronicle. The NWCC typically sees the peak of the fire season around August 14, indicating that the most challenging period may still lie ahead.
Since the NWCC began tracking burned acreage in 1992, only the 2020 Labor Day Fires have come close to this level of destruction, with about 1.2 million acres burned across 11 counties. Those fires, however, were significantly more devastating, resulting in nine deaths and the destruction of over 5,000 homes.
Impact and Response
This year’s fires have already destroyed at least 30 homes and more than 60 other structures, with hundreds more buildings under threat. Tragically, one death has been reported: Air tanker pilot James Bailey Maxwell, 74, who died while working near the Falls Fire on July 25.
Governor Tina Kotek has declared a statewide emergency, requesting federal assistance and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She has also invoked the Conflagration Act nine times, most recently on Monday for the Elk Lane Fire, which has burned nearly 5,100 acres northwest of Madras in Jefferson County. Additionally, on Thursday, she invoked the act for the Telephone Fire in Harney County, which has scorched more than 50,000 acres northeast of Burns, threatening over 150 homes and 350 smaller structures, leading to evacuation orders.
Weather and Air Quality Concerns
Recent cooler weather in Oregon is expected to give way to hotter and drier conditions later this week. The NWCC warned that ongoing incidents would see increased fire activity as cloud cover and surface moisture decrease.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued air quality alerts, most recently on Monday, for regions experiencing unhealthy, smoky conditions. These alerts affect eastern Douglas, Grant, northern Harney, northern Klamath, eastern Lane, northern Malheur, and eastern Wheeler counties, with intermittent smoke expected in Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, and Lake counties. Children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions are particularly at risk.
Major Fires and Containment Efforts
The Diamond Complex of nine fires, which has burned over 6,600 acres east of Roseburg in the Umpqua National Forest, is a top priority. It threatens four houses, 70 mixed commercial and residential buildings, 39 smaller structures, utility services, and access to Crater Lake along Highway 230. Over 550 personnel and four helicopters are deployed to combat these fires, with containment efforts expected to last until mid-October.
The Durkee Fire, the largest in Oregon, has burned nearly 295,000 acres in Baker and Malheur counties, destroying four homes and 19 other structures. It is 86% contained.
The Battle Mountain Complex of four fires west of Ukiah has burned over 188,000 acres, destroying seven homes and 10 other structures, and is 39% contained.
The Falls Fire northwest of Burns has burned more than 146,000 acres and is 75% contained. This fire has led to evacuation orders and road and trail closures, destroying 13 homes and 15 other structures.
The Lone Rock Fire southeast of Condon has burned over 137,000 acres and is 92% contained. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office reported that the fire's spread has slowed, with fire crews working to ensure that remaining active areas are contained.
Finally, the Cow Valley Fire in Malheur County, which has burned over 133,000 acres, is now 99% contained, having destroyed two homes and five smaller structures.
