Lower Dry Creek Fire Triggers Evacuations and State Emergency Response in Oregon

A fast‑moving wildfire dubbed the Lower Dry Creek Fire has burned more than 5,000 acres in Umatilla County, Oregon, since Wednesday. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations were ordered for the city of Weston and surrounding areas, affecting streets such as Schrimpf Rd, Kirk Rd, and Highway 11. Shelters at Sundridge Middle School in Pendleton and the Milton‑Freewater Community Building were opened for displaced residents. Oregon Highway 11 and Highway 204 were temporarily closed but have since reopened, while power outages and fiber‑optic disruptions were reported in the Weston and Pendleton areas.

Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, prompting the Oregon State Fire Marshal to deploy structural‑protection task forces and the Red Incident Management Team. The state agency mobilized air resources and additional crews to protect property and critical infrastructure. Officials warned of gusty winds, thunderstorms, and temperatures in the mid‑90s continuing to elevate wildfire risk in the coming week.