Wildfires rage in central and eastern Oregon, though firefighters make progress

Seven large

wildfires

continue to burn throughout Oregon as fire season kicks into high gear. In total, more than 60,000 acres have burned in the state, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

The five biggest active wildfires are the Cram, Highland, Elk, Willow and Long Point.

The Cram fire

The Cram fire in Jefferson and Wasco counties, the largest in the state, expanded significantly overnight, now with about 64,295 acres burned. Changing wind directions and rugged, steep terrain challenged fire crews as the fire advanced southeast, reaching Ashwood, according to Central Oregon Fire.

The fire currently threatens 46 residences near the west side of the fire’s perimeter, east of Madras in Jefferson County.

On Tuesday, Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which allowed the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send additional firefighting resources. It is the sixth official conflagration this wildfire season.

The fire remains completely uncontained as of Wednesday morning, officials said.

“All available engines were redirected from fire line work to structure protection, and firefighters worked through the night to protect homes, outbuildings and community infrastructure,” said Central Oregon Fire, an official interagency wildfire information resource.

Additional Level 2 (get set) and Level 3 (go now) evacuation orders were issued in Jefferson and Wasco counties.

The Highland fire

Fire crews are strengthening their perimeter of the Highland fire, which ignited on July 12 south of Prineville. The evening the fire started, Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act after the Crook County Fire Defense Board chief requested additional assistance.

High winds tested the crews Monday evening, according to Central Oregon Fire, and containment was at 55% as of Tuesday morning.

No structures have been damaged in the rural areas where the fire is and mop-up efforts are underway around the perimeter of the blaze, according to Crook County Fire and Rescue.

Evacuation orders issued by the Crook County Sheriff’s Office have lowered to Level 1 (be ready) and Level 2 (get set).

Crook County Fire and Rescue reported that an early investigation found the fire was “human-caused.” The investigation into the cause is ongoing.

The Willow fire

The Willow fire, burning 20 miles south of Paulina in Crook County, ignited on July 9 and quickly grew due to strong winds. The fire burned 4,403 acres. As of Wednesday morning, it is 90% contained.

All evacuation orders have been rescinded by the Crook County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire crews on Monday were able to contain most of the fire, which was caused by a lightning strike. Firefighters are monitoring for hot spots and are working on repairing any damage done during active suppression efforts, including repairing fences and naturalizing constructed fire lines, according to Central Oregon Fire.

The Elk fire

The Elk fire, which erupted early on July 7, grew to 2,699 acres and is 39% contained. The fire is burning 7 miles southwest of Beatty in Klamath County. Five structures were destroyed and 342 residences were threatened by the fire.

According to South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership, fire crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry continue to make “strong progress” on the blaze.

The fire was held by freighters within its current footprint for several consecutive days, according to South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership, an official interagency wildfire information resource. On-the-ground fire activity remains low, and containment efforts are steadily advancing.

Firefighters conducted small-scale burnout operations in unburned areas between the main fire and containment lines to secure the perimeter Tuesday night, officials said. On July 9, Kotek issued her fourth conflagration for additional fighting support. High temperatures, reduced humidity and increasing winds have tested crews containing the fire, according to State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple.

“This latest round of lightning and continued dry conditions in Southern Oregon has kept the Oregon fire service and our wildland partners extremely busy,” Ruiz-Temple said. “The extended forecast is not going to provide any relief.”

Level 1 (be ready) evacuation orders are in place in the areas surrounding the fire. In the city of Chiloquin, the area closest to the fire, Level 2 (get set) evacuation orders are in place.

The Long Point Fire

The Long Point fire, another lightning-caused fire, sparked on July 9 east of the tiny city of Spray in eastern Oregon. The fire has burned 349 acres and is 86% contained as of Sunday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. No structures were damaged.

All evacuation zones have been rescinded, according to Grant County Emergency Management, and crews are continuing to line the fire, which has not grown significantly since Friday.

The Bureau of Land Management has issued closures of the affected areas around the fire, as well as the Lone Pine and Big Bend campgrounds.

The Oregon Department of Forestry encourages people in the area to continue to be aware of fire activity and potential hot spots.