The wildfire season in Oregon has gotten off to an aggressive start, with an early heat wave leading to dry conditions that easily spark fires. Governor Tina Kotek has declared a statewide emergency and called in resources from around the country to help battle the flames. Lightning strikes have caused 100 new fires, requiring a coordinated effort to combat them.
Firefighters from various states have been deployed to Oregon, and more resources are on the way to tackle the blazes that are threatening homes and lives in central and eastern regions of the state. Despite it only being mid-July, fire officials are concerned as the fuel conditions are already at a level typically seen in late August.
The most active fires at the moment are the Battle Mountain Complex in Umatilla County and the Durkee Fire in Baker County. While the state estimates a loss of five to 15 structures so far, damage assessments are still ongoing. The forecast shows more lightning risk in the coming days, indicating that the fires currently burning may just be the beginning of a long battle ahead.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple urges residents to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety. The state government is working tirelessly to protect communities and state land from the destructive impact of the wildfires.
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