Oregon State Fire Marshal reports 1.7 million acres burned by wildfires as 39 teams mobilize across the state.
Oregon is currently hosting the four largest active wildfires in the United States, with 1.7 million acres burned year-to-date. The Oregon State Fire Marshal reported that 39 teams, including 33 task forces and six strike teams, have been mobilized across the state to manage the 30 large fires. Additional support from California and Washington has arrived via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Fire managers are warning residents to stay clear of operations and follow local evacuation alerts. A dry cold front on Saturday is expected to produce strong winds, potentially increasing fire behavior in eastern Washington and Oregon. While the number of active fires has decreased since earlier this week, fire activity remains elevated in the Northwest region. The National Interagency Fire Center reported that 43,145 fires have burned over 4.5 million acres nationwide this year, exceeding the 10-year average. Officials are urging the public to report new fires via 911 and to check local restrictions to prevent new starts during extreme conditions.