Fire Season
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The fights continue against 4 large wildfires in Oregon and Washington
July is almost over and the Pacific Northwest has seen relatively few large and devastating wildfires compared to recent years. Here's where things stood as of Friday.
Flat Fire grows to more than 8,000 acres, threatens rural community in SW Oregon
A new wildfire that started over the weekend in Southwestern Oregon is threatening the small rural community of Agness. The fire has already grown more than 5,000 acres in less than two days.
Containment of Tunnel 5 Fire in Columbia River Gorge increases to 65%
As of Sunday morning, the Tunnel 5 Fire burning in Skamania County in Southwest Washington was 65% contained, according to a fire update provided by the interagency Southwest Washington Fire Information Facebook page.
Oregon’s largest wildfire tops 100,000 acres, still 0% contained
The Double Creek Fire, a massive wildfire in Wallowa County, continues to grow swiftly, nearly doubling its size on Wednesday.
Why suppressing wildfires may be making the Western fire crisis worse
The U.S. is spending record money suppressing wildfires that are only getting more deadly and severe with climate change. But there are signs the needle is moving toward more upfront prevention work.
Oregon fire crews on high alert after thousands of lightning strikes
Between Tuesday night and Wednesday, more than 5,200 lightning strikes were reported throughout the state. There were another 250 reports of of lightning in Washington.
Oregon heat wave doesn’t present immediate wildfire threat
This week’s heat wave doesn’t mean western Oregon is at increased risk for wildfires, at least in the short term.
Out-of-state firefighters return to Oregon for 2022 wildfire season
Forestry officials say they’re bringing back firefighters from other parts of the country this week for Oregon’s wildfire season.
Crews prepare for another night fighting Eastern Oregon’s Willowcreek Fire
Heading into Wednesday evening, Lisa Bogardus at the Vale office of the BLM said by email that firefighters were preparing for another long night working to keep the fire contained between Willow Creek and I-84.
Federal firefighters wait for pay raises they hope will help fill their ranks
While they face longer and hotter wildfire seasons, federal firefighters are also battling staffing shortages in six of the nine regions across the country.