Sept. 3 – The impact of this year’s wildfire season continues to be felt across the state as the number of acres burned reaches 1.2 million.
Currently, the number of acres burned is four times higher than average compared to the same point in previous seasons. There have been 1,261 fires burning in the state, with more than 100 still active.
Five megafires, fires larger than 100,000 acres, are still burning in eastern Oregon: the Battle Mountain Complex, Lone Rock, Durkee, Cow Valley and Falls fires. These megafires are now between 19% and 99% contained.
Residents of these communities have been severely affected by the bushfires. Some 18,000 residents were under a Level 1, 2 or 3 evacuation at the height of the response so far, while more than 8,000 remain under some form of evacuation warning.
The full extent of the loss will not be known for several months. Initial reports indicate dozens of people have been injured and at least one person has died in the wildfire. An air tanker pilot named James Bailey Maxwell, 74, who was killed in a crash while working near the Falls Fire, north of Burns, on July 25, 2024.
Initial reports indicate that fires have destroyed as many as 28 homes and 73 buildings. Much of the damage has been to pastures and livestock, severely impacting the ranching community in eastern Oregon.
More than 10,000 people are involved in the response, including 261 fire crews, 483 fire trucks and 31 helicopters. Local and national emergency services and agencies are working around the clock to contain the remaining wildfires.
Several organizations are raising money and resources for those affected. Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) staff has compiled a list and made it available at Wildfire.oregon.gov.
Sources include:
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and the Oregon Farm Bureau are raising money.
Oregon State University is raising funds, in-kind donations, and donations of hay, feed, and transportation.
Wildland Firefighter Foundation supports firefighters who have been injured on the front lines and the relatives of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
OEM and agency partners want to warn the public to beware of donation scams and to only donate to trusted organizations. Scammers often contact their potential victims via phone, social media, email, or in person, so be wary of direct solicitations.
Also, be wary if the person asking for donations creates a sense of urgency and doesn’t make you think twice or give later. If you want to donate money to support the bushfire recovery efforts, it’s best to donate directly to the organization.
OEM has compiled a library of additional recovery resources, containing information from various agencies, to assist residents during and after a fire.
This library includes, among other things:
Basic Needs Support: List of Shelters, Food Banks, Replacement of SNAP Benefits, Replacement of Medical Equipment, and Replacement of Vital Documents
Stay informed: Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to stay informed of updates and additional information.
Return Home: Assess the damage to your home, vehicles, and property, report the damage to your local disaster management agency, and file an insurance claim.
Follow safe cleanup guidelines safe cleanup because ash contains hazardous materials. How to avoid scams when rebuilding.
Mental Health: Help is available 24/7 for anyone struggling or experiencing a crisis. Call 988 for statewide support or visit Lines for Life.
AgriStress Hotline is for those in the farming, ranching, fishing and forestry communities. Call 833-897-2474 or visit their website.
For more information on current wildfires, response, and recovery, visit Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery. Sign up for ORAlerts.gov to receive life-saving alerts and instructions during emergencies to help keep you and others safe in Oregon.
