Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act multiple times in rapid succession this week, mobilizing state firefighting resources as Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders spread across several eastern Oregon counties.

What the Conflagration Act Does

Oregon's Emergency Conflagration Act allows the Governor to deploy state resources — including Oregon Department of Forestry crews, engines, and equipment — to fires that threaten to overwhelm local and agency suppression capability. Invoking the Act also makes the affected incident eligible for state emergency cost-sharing and streamlines resource ordering.

Multiple Invocations This Week

Governor Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act on July 17 for the Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County — the third time she has done so in 2026. The same week, she invoked the Act for the Rowe Creek Complex in Wheeler County (July 18) and for the Akawa Butte and Brewer Fires in Deschutes and Jefferson counties, both of which had 0% containment at the time of invocation.

Lower Dry Creek Fire: Over 1,650 Under Go Now Orders

The Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla County has grown to more than 6,700 acres with minimal containment, prompting Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders for more than 1,650 residents. This fire is also the first in Oregon in 2026 to receive a FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), which allows state and local agencies to seek federal reimbursement for firefighting costs.

Evacuation Levels Across Oregon

In addition to Umatilla County, multiple other Oregon counties have residents under evacuation orders or warnings as of July 19:

  • Jackson County — Portions under Level 1, 2, and 3 orders due to the East Evans Creek Fire
  • Grant County — Portions under evacuation for the Olive Butte Fire; the town of Granite was under notice earlier in the week
  • Baker County — Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices in effect
  • Wheeler County — Level 1–3 evacuations for the Crosswhite Fire (approx. 4,000 acres) and Rowe Creek Complex
  • Deschutes County — Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) orders issued near Redmond as a new fire spread into Dry Canyon

Oregon's Three-Tier Evacuation System

  • Level 1 (Be Ready): Be aware of the danger and be ready to leave
  • Level 2 (Be Set): Be prepared to leave at a moment's notice; people with mobility limitations or livestock should consider leaving now
  • Level 3 (Go Now): Leave immediately — the area is under imminent threat

Residents are urged to follow orders from local law enforcement and not return to Level 3 areas until orders are officially lifted. Updated evacuation maps and shelter locations are available through county sheriff offices and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management at oregon.gov/oem.