Fires Have Cost State $25M In 2018: Oregon Dept. Of Forestry

SALEM, OR — Wildfires in Oregon have so far cost the state more than $25 million in 2018, according to information shared last week by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Portland Tribune on Friday shared the ODF data in a report that also said at least 20,800 acres of ODF-protected land were currently burning in 585 fires across the state.

Nearly 7,000 firefighting personnel are actively battling Oregon's fires, the largest of which is currently the Garner Complex fires in southern Oregon.

Made up by the Taylor Creek, Grave Creek, Pleasant Creek, and Ditch Creek fires, the Garner Complex fires have reportedly scorched nearly 30,000 acres. As of Monday, July 30, the blaze was 60 percent contained, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's Incident Information System (InciWeb).

Most the Southern Oregon fires appear to have started during a lightning storm July 15.

Evacuations continue in Josephine, Jackson, and Douglas counties, where the largest fires are located. An air quality alert was issued for several Southern Oregon counties due to the smoke coming from the fires, and weather reports calling for continued hot and dry weather across the state will not likely improve conditions, either, NWCG officials said in their Monday morning update.

Excessive heat and Red Flag warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for most the state, though temperatures could cool off by the end of the week.

For current fire and evacuation information, visit the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

Image via National Wildfire Coordinating Group