Rep. Diehl: 17 facts on Oregon wildfires


By Oregon State Representative Ed Diehl,

The Governor’s Office and agencies involved in wildfire held a briefing today. I will continue to send updates as I receive them.

Here’s what you should know:

• Well over 1 million acres burned to date with much fire season still ahead. Governor’s Office is working with the White House to prepare for state’s recovery needs.
• Oregon saw a Line of Duty Death, Single Engineer Tanker James Maxwell.
• National Guard Asset are working in support now on the fire effort.
• National Fire Protection System is being utilized to bring in resources and execute compacts.
• Currently at Preparedness Level 5 which is the highest level. Focus on resource allocation as new fires start as new resources are scarce.
• 4,700 Residents threatened with evacuation.
• Weather begins to moderate this evening which should be helpful, but temperatures will creep back up at the end of the week.
• 19 Incident Management Teams out across Oregon’s landscape.
• Fire activity is unusually higher for the month of July.
• Two National Guard Medivac crews out of John Day have been helping keep fire fighters safe.
• Two Fire Suppression aircrafts are up and running, potentially some additional resources may come on line.
• Deployments from over 20 states are now in Oregon providing assistance.
• Structural Loss: 26 Residences and 70 outbuildings. Hundreds of structures have been saved by the efforts of the Department of Forestry and OSFM.
• ODF is juggling staffing with people who are coming up on their 14 days. Trying to consolidate fires and coordinate extensions.
• There are conversations going on with Florida to see if we can get an additional team from them.
• OSFM has stood up a 4th incident management team to provide flexibility in rotating teams out.
• Utilizing national systems to bring in resources and ensure adequate staffing.

The Governor’s Office will likely continue these briefing with the amount of fire still on the landscape.

2024 Statewide Wildfire Monitoring Portfolio
ODF Wildfire Map
Population Impacts within Fire Evacuation Boundaries
DEQ Aire Quality Map

Share