Oregon, the 9th largest state in the U.S., is currently grappling with an unprecedented wildfire crisis. As of August 9, 2024, the state has experienced its most severe fire season since reliable record-keeping began in 1992, surpassing the previous record set in 2020.
According to Carol Connolly, spokesperson for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, over 1.4 million acres (approximately 2,200 square miles or 5,700 square kilometers) have been consumed by flames. This extensive damage has been primarily caused by 71 large fires, defined as those burning more than 100 acres of timber or 300 acres of grass or brush.
The severity of this year's fire season can be attributed to a combination of high temperatures, dry weather, and low humidity. These conditions have created an environment conducive to rapid fire spread, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. However, some fires have also threatened areas closer to urban centers.
Oregon's diverse landscape, which includes over 360 state parks and recreational areas, has been significantly impacted. The state's abundant natural resources, including the Douglas fir (the state tree) and numerous forests, are at risk. This situation is particularly concerning given Oregon's history of forest conservation, exemplified by the creation of Tillamook State Forest after devastating fires in the 1930s and 1940s.
Evacuation orders have been issued across the state, with the small town of Cherry Grove, located about 35 miles west of Portland, under a Level 3 "go now" notice. David Huey, a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, reported that most residents evacuated following door-to-door encouragement from officers.
In response to the Cherry Grove fire, authorities have been using water from nearby Henry Hagg Lake for aerial firefighting efforts. Gert Zoutendijk, spokesperson for the Gaston Rural Fire District, stated that the fire covered approximately 0.5 square miles with zero containment as of Friday afternoon, although progress has been made in establishing fire lines.
The largest blaze in Oregon, the Durkee Fire in the eastern part of the state, has scorched over 459 square miles. However, it was reported to be 95% contained as of August 9. This fire's impact is particularly significant given that Oregon is home to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, highlighting the state's varied topography and the challenges it presents for firefighting efforts.
"Blazes have scorched more than 1.4 million acres, or nearly 2,200 square miles (5,700 square kilometers). That's more than any other year since 1992, when reliable records began to be kept, and surpasses the previous record set in 2020."
The current situation draws comparisons to the devastating 2020 fire season, which saw blazes over Labor Day weekend claim nine lives and destroy thousands of homes and structures. That year, fires burned more than 1,875 square miles, a record that has now been surpassed with the peak of the 2024 fire season still approaching in mid-August.
As Oregon continues to battle these wildfires, the state's unique characteristics, such as its public beaches, world-renowned windsurfing spots in the Columbia River Gorge, and natural wonders like Crater Lake (the deepest lake in the U.S.), serve as reminders of what's at stake. The ongoing crisis underscores the need for continued vigilance and preparedness in the face of increasingly severe fire seasons.