In responding to the ferocious Service Fire in Wheeler County, Governor Tina Kotek has declared an emergency through the invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act as of Monday evening. The Wheeler County Fire Defense Board, recognizing an urgent need for aid in life safety and structural protection, requested support and found alignment in opinion with the state fire marshal.

"We are still in the 2024 wildfire season, and I continue to urge all Oregonians to heed fire restrictions and stay alert to fire danger in their communities," Governor Koteksaid, as stated by the State of Oregon. With the number of large fires in the state reported as 24 on Wednesday, Oregon's commitment to leveraging every available resource from multiple agencies is unflinching. These agencies are in constant communication with local communities to determine the necessity for state and federal assistance.

Under ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek assessed that the Service Fire posed a severe threat exceeding the capabilities of local firefighting resources, as reported by the State of Oregon. Her declaration, specific to the Service Fire, allows the mobilization of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to reinforce local agencies in the fray. The conflagration act declaration applies solely to the Service Fire's threat to structures in Wheeler County.

To combat the blaze, the Oregon State Fire Marshal had previously dispatched two structural task forces through its Immediate Response mechanism over the preceding weekend. On the following Monday night, additional task forces from Clatsop and Marion counties were mobilized. These resources are being coordinated alongside the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 2, who have taken command of the blaze. More information on the executive order can be found on the state's website.