Firefighters Make Progress On Oregon's Chetco Bar Fire

The Chetco Bar Fire is the nation's top priority wildfire.

Since it started by lighting six weeks ago, it's burned nearly 100,000 acres and now stands just five miles away from the coastal city of Brookings, Oregon. OPB reporter Kristian Foden-Vencil is in Crook County and joined "Morning Edition" host Geoff Norcross to talk about the situation this morning. Here's a transcript of their conversation:

Q&A with OPB reporter Kristian Foden-Vencil

Geoff Norcross: So just how bad is this fire now?

Kristian Foden-Vencil: Well, it's destroyed 20 outbuildings, 13 vehicles and five homes. A Level 3 mandatory evacuation order was in place for 3,400 homes. That's been dropped to level 2 now as firefighters have made some progress and the weather has turned more cooperative. But in total, up to 4,000 people have been affected.

GN: It's been burning since July; why is it still not under control?

KFV: I was a community meeting in Gold Beach, Oregon, last night, and that's the question a lot of people are asking. 

GN: Six weeks is a long time to fight a fire that’s still 0 percent contained. Are there any exacerbating factors?

KFV: Yeah, there are a few problems. 

GN: I understand the Red Cross has set up a relief shelter.

KFV: Yes, I was there yesterday afternoon. It's at an elementary school in Gold Beach, Oregon. On Monday night, they had more than 50 people sleeping on cots in the gymnasium. By Tuesday night, that number was down to 30. 

GN: What are conditions on the ground in towns like Brookings and Gold Beach?

KFV: Yesterday it was mostly clear and sunny, the wind was blowing all the smoke inland. But that can change very quickly. 

GN: What’s the prognosis over the next few days?

KFV: It looks like temperatures are going to be increasing Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the humidity dropping. Winds are also going to be 10 to 15 miles per hour. So that's not great, but it could be worse.