Latest news with #TinaKotek
New York Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Cram Fire Grows to Largest Wildfire in U.S. So Far This Year
The Cram fire in central Oregon, which is threatening 653 structures, most of them homes, has grown to 95,631 acres, making it the largest wildfire of the year so far in the United States. The blaze expanded in recent days, growing from more than 20,000 acres on Wednesday, amid blustery weather and low humidity. Moister air and calmer winds are expected to blunt some of the fire's growth over the weekend. 'Right now, we're looking really good,' Gert Zoutendijk, a spokesman for the Oregon State Fire Marshal Services, said on Saturday morning. 'The fire has slowed down tremendously. It's the first morning that we're not seeing a huge plume of smoke.' The Cram fire started on Sunday near Willowdale, Ore., which is about 135 miles southeast of Portland. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fanned by winds, the fire tore through rangeland and grassland across an area dotted with farms, destroying four homes and two other structures. Gov. Tina Kotek of Oregon declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and said the state was experiencing a 'devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kotek declares state of emergency in Oregon due to imminent threat of wildfire
Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in Oregon on July 16 that will last through the end of the year due to the imminent threat of wildfire. Multiple large wildfires have already exploded this year, largely east of the Cascade Range, including the growing Cram Fire, which roared to more than 60,000 acres by July 16 and is spreading smoke across central Oregon. The Rowena Fire burned 63 homes in The Dalles in June. 'Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences. The summer is only getting hotter, drier, and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions,' Kotek said in a news release. Oregon's wildfire danger is forecast to remain above normal through summer — remaining high in every part of the state in July, August and September — the first time in recent history that's happened. The declaration directs all state agencies, including the National Guard, to help support efforts to alleviate or respond to wildfire impacts, and support the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Fire Marshal. 'All Oregonians should follow local instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions,' Kotek said in the news release. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@ or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Gov Tina Kotek declares state of emergency in Oregon for wildfires
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oregon wildfire updates: Cram Fire grows to 77,158 acres in central Oregon
(This story has been updated to include additional information) The Cram Fire in Wasco and Jefferson counties reached 77,158 acres as of July 17, remaining the state's largest blaze and growing nearly 13,000 acres since July 16. Widespread level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations for Wasco and Jefferson counties are still in place. An evacuation map for Jefferson County can be found at: An evacuation map for Wasco County can be found at: A Red Cross evacuation shelter is available at Jefferson County Middle School, 1180 SE. Kemper Way in Madras. Large animals can go to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds until July 18. Air quality in Madras has increased to moderate as of July 17, unhealthy for sensitive groups in Prineville and moderate in the Bend and Redmond area. Fire activity the night of July 16 was less than expected due to decreased winds. The fire still continues to challenge personnel on the ground. With a red flag warning for high winds and low humidity through July 18, firefighters focused on strengthening containment lines the night of July 16 and point protection around structures. At least 573 personnel were assigned to the fire. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Cram Fire on July 14, allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send teams to conduct structure protection for homes in the area. It was the sixth time Kotek has invoked the act so far this fire season. More: Kotek declares state of emergency in Oregon due to imminent threat of wildfire Highway 97 is now open. Information about road closures can be found on Trip Check. Mariah Johnston is an outdoors journalism intern at the Statesman Journal. Reach her at mjohnston@ This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: Cram Fire grows to 77,158 acres in central Oregon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cram Fire explodes to 28,000 acres, closes Highway 97 in central Oregon
For the latest updates on the Cram Fire, click here. The Cram Fire exploded to 28,000 acres on July 15, shut down Highway 97 north of Madras and has degraded air quality in central Oregon. The fire, ignited July 13, was fueled by hot temperatures and gusty winds and grew rapidly to become the state's largest blaze. The fire brought widespread level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations to Wasco and Jefferson counties, near the small towns of Ashwood and Antelope. A full evacuation map can be found at Highway 97 is closed between mileposts 70 and 76 near Antelope and could stay that way for an extended period, fire officials said. Travelers should check before navigating the area. Air quality dropped to unhealthy levels in Madras by the afternoon of July 15 and moderate in the Bend area. As light east winds arrive in Oregon and temperatures heat up, smoke could spread west into the Cascade Range on July 16. Shelter opened for evacuees of Cram Fire in central Oregon A shelter has been opened at Madras Middle School, and a Red Cross team is set up at the Jefferson County Middle School as an evacuation site, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds said it would hold evacuees' large animals until July 18. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Cram Fire on July 14, allowing the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send teams to conduct structure protection for homes in the area. It was the sixth time Kotek has invoked the act so far this fire season. 'The fire jumped Trout Creek and ran up Ranger Butte and is now moving to the southeast,' fire teams wrote the morning of July 15. 'The fire is burning in steep and rugged country with few roads and challenging access. Today's priorities will be structure protection and scouting for opportunities to construct containment lines." Fire crews are using airplanes and helicopters to cool hot spots and make tactical retardant drops. 'Temperatures are expected to be lower today, but conditions remain dry and receptive to ignition,' crews wrote. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@ or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: Cram Fire closes Highway 97 in central Oregon Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Highland Fire evacuations in place in Crook County
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Gov. Tina Kotek invoked a conflagration for the Highland Fire in Crook County, with evacuations ordered for those near the fire that has grown to about 1500 acres as of 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The wind-driven Highland Fire sparked Saturday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said in a release. The Blue Incident Management Team and three structural task forces were sent to the fire south of Prineville, where levels 1-2-3 evacuations are in place. This is the fifth time so far in the 2025 wildfire season a Map of evacuation area 'Fire conditions are affecting much of the state with little relief in the forecast,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in a statement. 'We are asking all Oregonians to be aware of the conditions and do everything they can to prevent sparking a wildfire.' The Crook County Sheriff's Office is providing Prineville is about 150 miles southeast of Portland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
