Oregon wildfire updates: Kotek declares state of emergency

There are multiple wildfires burning around Oregon, and evacuation warnings in place. Here’s the latest on the fires burning statewide.

Gov. Kotek declares state of emergency

Due to an imminent threat of wildfire, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Friday that is effective until Oct. 1, according to a news release.

“Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires,” Kotek said. “I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season."

The declaration allows the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to utilize personnel and equipment from all state agencies necessary to prevent, fight and recover from wildfires.

The best way to limit the impacts of wildfires is to be aware of conditions and prevent them from starting, Kotek said.

“I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov , have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions," Kotek said.

Anyone who believes they have been charged with overly high prices for essential goods during the emergency should report the violation to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Services.

Cow Valley Fire grows to 81,000 acres, crews work to protect homes in Brogan

Equipment operators worked through the night on Thursday, establishing a dozer line to protect the town of Brogan. Four Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office task forces are attempting to create a defensible space around private property and protect 45 homes.

The fire, listed at 81,000 acres Friday evening, was determined to be human caused. The Bureau of Land Management, Malheur County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police are investigating.

A level 1 "be ready" evacuation remains in place for the Brogan and Brogan Canyon areas.

The fast-moving wildfire prompted the Oregon State Fire Marshal to mobilize several task forces to the Cow Valley Fire near the town of Brogan. Umatilla and Multnomah counties were sent overnight and were joined by Lane and Marion counties due to the Emergency Conflagration Act being invoked Friday morning.

The Red Cross and partners opened a shelter and the Malheur County Fairgrounds, which can house large animals and has space for RVs.

The Cow Valley Fire changed direction early Thursday evening and headed east toward Brogan. Follow the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office for information about evacuations.

“The weather conditions we are seeing across Oregon are extremely concerning. The forecast over the weekend for much of Eastern Oregon will not be doing us any favors,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said.

The area is expecting challenging fire weather due to abundant lightning and wind this weekend while under a Fire Weather Watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The Oregon Department of Transportation closed a stretch of Highway 26 in the area of the fire. Go to TripCheck.com for updates.

Windy conditions primary factor for Larch Creek fire growth

The Larch Creek Fire burning near Dufur and Maupin in central Oregon grew to 14,267 acres Saturday morning. It was at 3% containment and had cost an estimated $6.2 million.

Friday night, crews patrolled, mopped up and reinforced lines up to 100 feet deep in much of the north and east. In the southwest, firefighters created dozer lines up to the Tygh Creek drainage and mopped up around homes where the fire was active.

Wind and dry fuels, like tall grass, brush and fallen trees, have contributed to in rapid fire spread.

On Saturday, crews attempted to tie together an established dozer line with a hand-built line through Tygh Creek drainage before a fire weather watch begins on Sunday.

A community meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at the South Wasco County Grade School Gymnasium.

Highway 216 East remained closed between mileposts 1 and 4.

Evacuations in place

There were level 3 “go now” evacuation orders in place for locations in and around Tygh Valley, along with level 2 “be ready” and level 1 “be prepared" evacuations in other areas.

The latest evacuation maps can be found at bit.ly/3XSWeNA .

Two shelters were available at South Wasco County High School and Wy'East Middle School. Residents evacuating from Pine Hollow, Wamic, and Sportsman’s Park were advised to travel west and use the shelter at Wy’East Middle School.

Sherman County Fairgrounds was opened for evacuation of livestock and pets. Hood River Fairgrounds was also open to displaced animals.

Highway 197 was “being closely monitored and may be closed or have traffic control,” officials said.

Larch Creek Fire is human-caused, but unclear what happened

The fire was human-caused , according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, but the agency has not said specifically how it was caused.

Salt Creek Fire 4,081-acre perimeter lined in Southern Oregon

The Salt Creek Fire in Southern Oregon was listed at 4,081 acres Saturday morning with a containment of 32%.

The entire perimeter was lined and work shifted to mop up for the remainder of the incident.

Overnight, firefighters used infrared devices to detect hotspots that could potentially reignite. With these locations discovered, day shift crews can locate and extinguish the left-over pockets of heat.

"We've worked incredibly hard in a short amount of time to get this point where the fire is lined and holding," IMT1 Incident Commander Joe Hessel said. "The work that's left will require us to be methodical and thorough."

Level 1 "be ready" evacuations were put in place by Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

The fire was 10 miles east of Eagle Point and north of Highway 140. It was first reported Sunday afternoon .

Mount Hood National Forest prohibits all campfires

Beginning Friday, all fires will be prohibited in Mount Hood National Forest . This includes all campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires and any other open fires.

Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel were still allowed as long as they could be instantly switched off. Mount Hood National Forest was the first to announce a total fire ban in the state.

McCaffery Fire 100% contained in Central Oregon at 458 acres

A local Type 4 incident commander took command of the McCaffery Fire in Central Oregon Tuesday evening. The fire was 100% contained at 458 acres. Some resources remained on scene to ensure the fire stayed within its footprint.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Crook County Sheriff’s Office listed all evacuation notices around the McCaffery Fire.

Willamette National Forest moves to 'high' fire danger

While the Willamette National Forest has not enforced public use restrictions for fire, the fire danger level has moved to "high" with guidelines for campfires.

The U.S. Forest Service recommended that campfires should be contained in a fire ring with a shovel and water in reach.

Campfires should be at least 5 feet away from any flammable materials including overhanging tree limbs and should be kept small. Updates can be found at fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire and will be updated as restrictions change.

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.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfire updates: Kotek declares state of emergency