Oregon wildfires continue to burn across every corner of the state. Here's the latest news.
Oregon sets modern record for acres burned from wildfires
Wildfires in Oregon have burned more acres of land this year than any since reliable records began, according to data from the Northwest Interagency Center.
A total of 1,399 fires have burned 1.49 million acres or 2,200 square miles, surpassing the 2012 total of 1.2 million acres and the 2020 total of 1.14 million acres.
This year, humans have caused 976 fires that burned 900,103 acres while lightning has ignited 423 fires that burned 592,509 acres.
Gigantic grass fires on the east side of the state have defined this season, just as they did in 2012.
Much of the acres burned this season have come from megafires such as the Falls Fire (146,250 acres), Cow Valley Fire (133,490 acres), Lone Rock Fire (137,222 acres) and Battle Mountain Complex(181,941 acres).
In 2012, the Long Draw Fire, the largest fire in Oregon's modern history, burned 557,000 acres. It was joined by the Holloway and Miller Homestead fires to combine for just under a million acres, all in southeast Oregon.
The most destructive wildfire year in Oregon's history was 2020, when the Labor Day Fires fueled 1.14 million acres burned and destroyed 4,009 homes and killed nine people.
The largest forest fire of the modern era was the 500,000 acre Biscuit Fire, which burned in southwest Oregon in 2002. Forest fires tend to last longer and often have a greater impact overall.
The modern era is considered to have begun in 1992. There were plenty of large wildfires before that, but tracking total acres burned was difficult statewide, officials have said.
Crater Lake National Park closes north entrance due to Middle Fork Fire
The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park is closed beginning Tuesday to allow firefighters on the Middle Fork Fire to prepare control lines along the road.
The move will likely slow entrance into the park, officials said, and will add extra time to the drive from the Willamette Valley. Crater Lake National Park remains open and is accessible from Highway 62 on the western and southern routes.
The Middle Fork Fire has burned 4,718 acres and is 0% contained.
The North Entrance Road will be closed from North Junction to the park boundary at the junction with Highway 138.
"Fire crews will reduce fuels along the north-south route creating a defensible zone to keep the Middle Fork Fire from threatening park infrastructure and progressing further east," the park said in a news release. "This closure is necessary to ensure the safety of fire crews and the public and is expected to last approximately seven days. All other park roads will remain open, except for construction closures on East Rim Drive."
For current information about what is open, see the park’s current conditions page at bit.ly/4dbflqV
Cooler, wetter weather could help fires
Cooler and possibly wetter weather is forecast for the coming week across Oregon, with temperatures dipping as low as the 40s in the Cascade Range with a few chances for light precipitation.
"We're feeling pretty confident about the cooler weather, but this system coming in from the northwest and off the ocean could bring some drizzle (or at least dampness)," National Weather Service meteorologist Miles Higa said. "We're not expecting a big wetting rain, and we're still looking to see how much will fall and where, but it's still something."
Higa said the best chances for showers would be Tuesday in the Cascade Range, while the Willamette Valley could see a little drizzle.
Higa said it didn't look as though the rain would bring much thunderstorm activity, at least early in the week. The system was on course to bring relief to some of the fires in the central Cascade Range, he said.
Dixon Fire brings evacuations near Tiller, South Umpqua River area
A new fire sparked southeast of Roseburg, and east of Riddle and Canyonville, brought level 3 "go now" evacuations to the Tiller area around the 1,400-acre Dixon Fire.
The fire sparked around 3 p.m. on Saturday and grew quickly. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to activate task forces to protect homes in the area.
A Red Cross Shelter has been established at the Canyonville School. For a breakdown of the evacuation orders and warnings, see this map at bit.ly/4dc3qsB
Tiller Trail Highway remains closed at two points to all through traffic in the area near the Tiller Ranger Station.
Lee Falls Fire evacuation levels downgraded
Fire crews downgraded evacuation levels around the Lee Falls Fire to level 2 "be set" after crews made progress over the weekend on the 310 acre fire that ignited near Henry Hagg Lake west of Forest Grove. The fire was fully lined and more than 25% contained Sunday.
Residents of the community of Cherry Grove, which had been placed on level 3 "go now" evacuation orders, were allowed to return home. PGE is attempting to restore power in the area, officials said.
Wyden, Hoyle pledge meals and pay for firefighters, tout arrival of New Zealand fire crews
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, both Oregon Democrats, said they were working to improve catering at fire camps and make permanent firefighter pay increases at a news conference Friday.
"It's pretty hard to fight fires if you can't feed your firefighters," Wyden said. He said the issue had been fixed.
In addition, Wyden touted the arrival of a fire crew from New Zealand to help on wildfires burning in Lane County, he said.
Hoyle said once Congress reconvened, she would push for a raise for firefighters, approved after the pandemic, to be made permanent. Hoyle stressed that fires in Oregon are likely to get worse before they get better.
"I was talking with some fire chiefs from Los Angeles and they said that where we are now, is where they were 25 years ago," she said. "They said we should prepare for it to get hotter and drier and that we can't approach things the same way."
Willamette Complex South continues with moderate fire intensity
The Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208 and 217 fires are part of the Willamette Complex South. The weather in the area was expected to have higher humidity and lower temperatures on Monday. Smoke will likely linger in the area from the Willamette Complex and the surrounding fires.
The Chalk Fire is at 5,296 acres and 54% containment. The Coffeepot Fire is at 6,036 acres and 35% containment. The Moss Mountain Fire is at 714 acres and 0% containment. The 217, Tire Mountain and McKinley Fires are 100% contained.
Ore Fire in Willamette Complex North smoke apparent to public
The Ore Fire in Blue River is at 2,576 acres and 20% containment. Due to the tactical fire operations and the weaker west winds across the area, officials say the public may see or smell smoke within the proximity of the fire. Crews observed less fire behavior overnight and will continue to evaluate opportunities for firing and conducting burnout operations.
The Pyramid Fire east of Middle Santiam Wilderness is at 1,325 acres and 64% contained. The plan for Monday was for crews to continue holding and improving line as well as mopping up and extinguishing hot spots.
The area is expected to see lower temperatures and lower relative humidity due to a large marine push. Despite the change in weather, heavy fuels continue to hold heat.
Warm and windy weather causes spot fires outside lines on Lane 1 Fire
The Lane 1 Fire in Cottage Grove at 21,658 acres and 14% containment saw windy conditions and temperatures in the 90s on Sunday which caused small spot fires to pop up outside of the eastern containment lines. Monday morning the area had higher relative humidity and cloud cover helping crews naturally decrease fire behavior.
The resources will continue to focus on the southeast side of the fire to connect and strengthen fire lines. At this time, all existing lines are holding strong. Firefighters are planning for strategic firing operations when conditions line up in this area to provide a more secure barrier between the fire and the Bohemia Mining District.
Homestead Complex resources directed based on threats to property and infrastructure
The Homestead complex includes seven fires at 4,151 total acres with 14% overall containment. On Monday, crews were working on deepening the line on northwestern side of the No Man Fire. Due to increased visibility, the use of aircraft may be used.
The Horse Heaven Creek Fire has crossed the Windy Creek to the north in a rough terrain area as shown in an infrared flight. The resources will be prioritized early to focus on putting line to the north and to the east.
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity will continue in the area due to a marine layer that moved over the complex Sunday night. Terrain driven winds will pick up in the afternoon at higher elevations.
Statesman Journal outdoors intern Emma Logan contributed to this report.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.
