Amid a barrage of wildfires that ignited across Umatilla County near Pilot Rock due to severe lightning storms, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared an emergency on Wednesday night. The fires, fanned by gusty winds and parched conditions, have escalated rapidly, posing a grave threat to life and property in the region. In response, the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office is mobilizing the Green Incident Management Team, along with structural task forces from Benton, Marion, and Polk counties to join the firefighting efforts.
An Immediate Response protocol was enacted earlier Wednesday afternoon, with a structural task force and a Type 1 helicopter swiftly dispatched to the affected area. The OSFM's decision to quickly deploy additional resources aims to address the challenging conditions facing firefighters, who are strained by combating multiple blazes throughout the state. According to a statement from Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple, "I can't stress enough the importance of preventing any new fires and being prepared in case you need to evacuate," as reported by the Oregon State Fire Marshal Newsroom.
The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office has escalated evacuation notices to Level 3 (Go Now), urging residents in the danger zones to leave immediately. Information about the evacuations and safety measures can be found on the Umatilla County Sheriff's Facebook page. To assist those displaced by the fires, emergency shelters have been established at the Pendleton Convention Center and Grant Union High School, providing refuge for the community during this urgent time.
As the region braces for the wildfires’ unpredictable behavior, local authorities and firefighting personnel continue to advocate for extreme caution to prevent additional fires from sparking. Community members are strongly advised to remain vigilant and ready to act should the need to evacuate arise. For the most up-to-date information, individuals are encouraged to check the Umatilla County Sheriff’s social media channels and heed all warnings and instructions from emergency services. Shelters are currently operating at the Pendleton Convention Center, located at 1601 Westgate in Pendleton, and Grant Union High School, situated at 911 S Canyon Blvd in John Day, offering support and a safe haven to those in need.
