Salem, OR – In a decisive response to escalating wildfire threats, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on July 14 for the Falls Fire in Harney County and on July 15 for the Lone Rock Fire affecting Gilliam, Morrow, and Wheeler Counties.
Statewide Collaboration and Mutual Aid
In a concerted effort to bolster fire suppression efforts, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has partnered with the Washington state fire service to bring additional resources to the Falls Fire. This collaboration underscores the critical need for interstate cooperation in the face of severe wildfire conditions.
“Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon Department of Forestry are working in concert to protect our state. Critical fire conditions are expected to continue into the coming week,” Governor Kotek stated. “Thank you to the Washington fire service and all firefighters working tirelessly to protect Oregonians.”
Mobilizing Resources
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized its Blue Incident Management Team along with four task forces to combat the Falls Fire, located 20 miles northeast of Riley. Two of these task forces have been sourced from Washington state through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
Similarly, the Red Incident Management Team, along with seven task forces, has been reassigned to the Lone Rock Fire. These efforts are coordinated with the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and local fire agencies to safeguard life and property.
Augmented Support from Outside the State
In addition to interstate support, the Oregon Department of Forestry is enhancing the state’s firefighting capacity with more than 70 out-of-state resources. Of these, 23 resources were acquired through the Northwest Compact, a mutual aid agreement among states and Canadian provinces including Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
Evacuation Orders
The sheriffs’ offices of Grant and Harney counties have issued evacuation orders in response to the fires. For updated evacuation maps and information, residents can refer to the Harney County and Grant County evacuation maps. Updates for the Lone Rock Fire can be tracked via the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office.
Official Statements
“We are bringing in additional support from the Washington fire service for the Falls Fire due to the severe drawdown of Oregon resources and the anticipated weather conditions,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “Our relationship with the Washington fire service is invaluable, especially during their responses to Oregon in 2017 and 2020.”
Governor Kotek’s declaration of the Emergency Conflagration Act follows ORS 476.510-476.610, which determines the threat to life, safety, and property due to these fires surpasses local firefighting capabilities. This declaration enables the state fire marshal to mobilize resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to support local fire services on the ground.
For more details, refer to the Executive Orders for the Falls Fire and the Lone Rock Fire.
For further inquiries, contact:
- Anca Matica, Press Secretary to Governor Kotek, Anca.Matica@Oregon.Gov
- Oregon State Fire Marshal, Public Affairs, osfm.publicaffairs@osfm.oregon.gov