Baker County issues disaster declaration amid wildfires

The Baker County Board of Commissioners has issued a local disaster declaration due to multiple wildfires causing widespread economic damage to the timber, livestock, and range land industries. Officials have requested that the Governor declare a state of emergency for the county to address imminent dangers to life and property.

Fire crews in Northeastern Oregon are currently bracing for potential new blazes as lightning is forecasted to return to the region. While meteorologists expect some thunderstorms may bring rain, fire danger indices remain near record highs. Officials noted that even if rain occurs, it may not hit all areas where lightning strikes, and “holdover” fires could be revived by sunlight and wind in the coming days.