Oregon wildfires blaze across multiple counties, burning over 20,000 acres

Several major wildfires are raging across Oregon. The East Evans Road Fire in Jackson County has grown to 11,551 acres and is only 5% contained, with 1,653 personnel and 13 rotor‑wing aircraft assigned. In the northeast, the Salmon Fire (1,492 acres) and the Olive Butte Fire (2,809 acres) are each 15% contained, while evacuation orders remain for the communities of Granite and Greenhorn. The Akawa Butte and Brewer fires in Deschutes and Jefferson counties prompted the state to invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fifth time this year, enabling the Red Incident Management Team and additional task forces to protect communities and infrastructure.

The surge follows a massive lightning outbreak that produced more than 14,000 strikes, igniting dozens of fires across Oregon and Washington. Officials warn that hot, dry, windy conditions and a lack of rain will keep the situation difficult. The Oregon Department of Forestry is deploying advanced technology—including a network of 96 wildfire detection cameras and a Twin Otter multi‑mission aircraft equipped with infrared and AI‑backed mapping—to improve early detection and suppression efforts.