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Four wildfires reach ‘megafire’ status in Oregon, scorching thousands of acres
By Aimee Plante,
6 hours ago
PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – As firefighters continue to battle smoke and flames throughout Oregon, at least four wildfires in the eastern half of the state have grown into “megafires.”
A megafire, according to the U.S. Interagency Fire Center , is a wildfire that reaches a size of at least 100,000 acres. Of the 100 fires currently burning in Oregon, the Durkee, Cow Valley, Falls, and Lone Rock fires have each reached this status.
The Falls Fire burning in Central Oregon moves along a preexisting burn scar from a 2007 wildfire. (Photo: Mike McMillan/USFS)
Crews battle the Cow Valley Fire on Jul. 14, 2024. (Oregon State Fire Marshal)
A truck drives along the fire line of the Cow Valley Fire burning in Eastern Oregon. (KOIN 6)
The Oregon Fire Marshal announced Tuesday that the Falls fire in now 85,348 acres in size. (Oregon State Fire Marshal)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
The Lone Rock Fire in Gilliam County, July 14, 2024 (Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
(Courtesy: Nicholas Alexander)
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has already declared a wildfire state of emergency , freeing up deployment of the National Guard along with firefighters and structural equipment from California and Washington.
“To be very honest, our wildfire season is off to a very aggressive start,” Kotek said in a briefing last week, adding that this summer could be “ a long wildfire season .”
Extreme heat and dry conditions have contributed to the state’s heightened wildfire risk as thunderstorms spark throughout the Pacific Northwest . However, officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say several wildfires have also been caused by humans.
“We are asking the public for help keeping human-caused fires off the map,” said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations with ODF. “We have our hands full already and more lightning coming. We can address that as long as our resources are not busy dealing with other human-caused fires.”
State officials urge residents to sign up for local emergency alerts and familiarize themselves with evacuation levels.
Description of evacuation levels courtesy of Clackamas County.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage.
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