Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency under the Emergency Conflagration Act on August 10, due to the escalating Dixon Fire in Douglas County, as reported by the Oregon Government's newsroom. The Dixon Fire presented a considerable threat to the safety of residents and the integrity of structures in the area, prompting the request for state assistance by the Douglas County Fire Defense Board, which the state fire marshal endorsed.
In a statement released, Governor Kotek emphasized the critical level of fire danger throughout Oregon, especially with the advent of August, a month marked by wildfire challenges. "Our firefighters have been working around the clock for months to battle an unusual amount of fires early in the season," Governor Kotek said, urging for vigilant adherence to fire restrictions by locals and visitors alike. Currently, the state is grappling with 95 active fires, 24 of which are classified as large.
Following the statutes indicated by ORS 476.510-476.610, the governor's decision enables the state fire marshal to mobilize additional firefighting resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System. This support aims to amplify the efforts of local firefighting teams who are facing a threat beyond their existing capabilities. Specifically, the conflagration declaration applies to the dire situation of the Dixon Fire in Douglas County, a community now relying on both state and federal aid in their defense.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has responded by dispatching a structural task force from the Rogue Valley as well as activating the Green Incident Management Team and multiple task forces. Further action included the Oregon Department of Forestry mobilizing ODF Incident Management Team 2, in cooperation with the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), to support the management of the growing fire as detailed in the Oregon government newsroom's announcement.
