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Published on August 01, 2024
Oregon Wildfires Quadruple Seasonal Average with 1.2 Million Acres Scorched, Eastern Oregon Battles Ongoing MegafiresSource: Oregon Department of Emergency Management

The wildfire season in Oregon has escalated dramatically this year, with the state currently grappling with the aftermath of a series of devastating fires. As reported by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, an alarming 1.2 million acres have been consumed by flames – a figure that's quadruple the average for this time of year. Complicating matters, more than 1,261 wildfires have been recorded, out of which over 100 continue to burn across the state.

Eastern Oregon is particularly hard-hit, housing all five of the so-called megafires. According to the latest updates, these fires are between 19% and 99% contained. Communities within these regions have seen significant upheaval, with up to 18,000 residents at one point forced to swiftly adopt some level of evacuation measures. Today, over 8,000 individuals remain under an evacuation warning, unsure when they might be able to fully reclaim their lives and livelihoods.

The dire extent of the destruction is slowly coming into focus. Early data shows dozens of injuries, along with the tragedy of a life lost amidst the infernos. James Bailey Maxwell, a 74-year-old air tanker pilot, tragically perished in a crash on July 25, 2024, while courageously battling the Falls Fire. Structures, too, have succumbed to the devastation; preliminary counts are at 28 homes and 73 other buildings destroyed, with a significant impact on grazing land and a direct hit to the ranching community's vital resources.

Combatting the fires is an extensive cohort of responders, numbering over 10,000. This includes 261 fire crews, 483 engines, and 31 helicopters – a sizeable force working tirelessly to try and control the remaining blazes. Agencies from both the local and statewide spectrum are contributing to these efforts, their staff and resources stretched thin as they aim to swiftly mitigate the wildfires' relentless advance.