Earlier, hotter, bigger and faster fires are fueling historic fire season, governor warns state

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau — Oregon is experiencing August-like fire danger conditions in mid-July, creating the likelihood of a historic fire season for the second year in a row.

Nearly 500,000 acres have burned from nearly 1,000 fires this year, said Doug Grafe, chief of fire protection for the Oregon Department of Forestry during a Tuesday press call on current fire conditions.

Most fires are caught at under 10 acres, but each has the potential to become a major blaze, fire officials said.

Gov. Kate Brown and state fire response officials warned that conditions were extreme for fire danger that would last for at least three more months. Oregon residents in nearly every point in the state needed to prepare now for how to handle a wildfire emergency, they said.

“Last year’s historic fire season taught us that being prepared can truly be the difference between life and death,” Brown said.

Brown said the state was facing two big public health challenges this summer, as it had last year: fires with smoke and COVID-19. She said the fires and a recent uptick in COVID-19 infections driven by the new delta variant would not change her plans to have county health officials be the front lines on the pandemic. 

A lack of rain and searing summer temperatures have officials scanning the state for new sparks.

Severe drought conditions cover 90% of the state, with 19 counties under drought emergency declarations. The calendar for fire season was accelerated by the record-breaking temperatures at the end of June that hit 117 in Salem and 118 — a state record — in Hermiston.

As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the state reported 22 active fires and a total area burned this season of 405,567 acres.

Oregon is fighting the largest wildfire in the nation, the 387,000 and growing Bootleg Fire in Fremont-Winema National Forest in southern Oregon. 

The flames have destroyed 67 residences and 117 other buildings. Only one injury has been reported.

The Bootleg Fire is 30 percent contained, with protection of towns a top priority. But fire officials said it is possible that up to 100,000 more acres could burn.

“The fire is going to be on the landscape for a long time,” Grafe said.

If it hits the top end of that estimate, the Bootleg Fire would join two other Oregon fires that have burned over 500,000 acres this century.

The Long Draw Fire in Malheur County in 2012 burned just over 550,000 acres in 2012. The Biscuit Fire in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest burned just over 500,000 acres in 2002.

Other current blazes around the state remain dangerous, but firefighters are getting the upper hand.

State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple pointed to the Grandview Fire north of Sisters in Deschutes County that has burned 6,000 acres as an example of how the state hopes to contain fires early.

An infusion of state funding and updated strategic plans for deploying forces around the state allowed for the pre-positioning of firefighting units and equipment.

The call for a surge of additional resources from local and regional firefighting units kept the blaze away from populated areas.

The fire is now 72% contained.

This is a success story,” Ruiz-Temple said. “The threat to the community was pretty significant.” 

Grafe said he was also confident that firefighters will be able to control the battle against the Elbow Creek Fire Fire in Wallowa County in the northeast corner of the state.

Though it has burned over 16,400 acres, the fire is 15% contained.

“They are feeling a bit more confident,” Grafe said. “The next 48 hours will be a turning point.”

Progress has also been made on the Jack Fire in southern Oregon, though it would likely burn for a long time because of the location and the ability of firefighters to get to the flames.

Commanders on the scene feel “comfortable moving in the right direction,” Grafe said.

A smaller burn causing concern is the 156-acre Bruler Fire, near Santiam Canyon. The terrain is very steep, making access to the flames difficult. One firefighter was hit in the helmet by rolling rocks, but was not significantly injured. The fire is 10% contained. 

“I think this one will also be on the landscape for a while,” Grafe said.

Grafe said the fire season had an abnormally early beginning with the Bull Springs Fire near Bend in March.

It was a warning that the state would be in for a protracted battle a year after wildfires burned over 1 million acres and destroyed thousands of homes during the Labor Day fires of 2020. 

“We are facing a long, difficult fire season,” Grafe said. 

Brown said she wasn’t considering major changes in her June 30 decision to transfer decision-making on COVID-19 policy and abatement to counties.

“We are moving to a more localized, traditional approach,” Brown said.

The Oregon Health Authority reported late Monday that COVID-19 cases statewide were up 30.8% for the period covering July 4 to July 17. The number of cases per 100,000 resident rose to 77.6 from 59.3. The percentage of positive tests rose to 3.8%, up from 3.1%.

Most of Oregon’s 36 counties showed an increase in infections on the state’s risk management website.

Counties showing a drop in infections included Baker, Curry, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Polk and Union. Wheeler, Grant and Harney stayed the same.

Some of the highest numbers were in Umatilla County, with the rate of cases per 100,000 rising from 202.5 to 279.8. The positive test rate of 12.4% was more than three times the state average. Only neighboring Morrow County had a higher positive test rate: 14.7%.

Brown said OHA would monitor hospital capacity to ensure no area is strained with COVID-19 patients. State officials are working with local agencies to ensure they have the resources they need.

“The best tool we have for fighting this virus is vaccination,” Brown said.

Authorities said to monitor www.oralert.gov for the latest emergency updates. Information is also available at www.wildfire.oregon.gov.