Oregon is on pace for one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in state history. As of July 22, 2026, the state has already burned more total acreage than it did throughout all of 2025 — and fire season is still at its peak. With 21 large fires active statewide, more than any other state in the nation, Oregon's firefighting and emergency management systems are being pushed to their limits.

Lightning Strikes Ignite Statewide Crisis

The current fire siege began in earnest in mid-July, when a series of dry lightning storms swept across Oregon's high desert, forests, and grasslands. Within days, dozens of new fire starts were reported, several of which rapidly escaped initial attack. Two of the state's largest fire complexes grew to cover more than 250,000 combined acres within days of ignition, according to Capital Press reporting from July 20.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Oregon Department of Emergency Management mobilized quickly. ODF reports that roughly 800 additional personnel were added to the statewide firefighting effort by July 20, supplementing existing ground crews, air resources, and incident management teams. Still, the sheer number of simultaneous fire starts — some in remote terrain — has stretched resources extremely thin.

Governor Kotek Invokes Emergency Conflagration Act

On July 22, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Hagen Fire, burning approximately 9 miles southeast of Athena in Umatilla County. The act, which dates to 1939, enables the state to mobilize additional firefighting resources and funding when a fire threatens life and property beyond local and county capacity to manage. The Hagen Fire had reached 5,685 acres with 0 percent containment as of July 21 and was growing rapidly when the governor took action.

The invocation reflects the severity of conditions statewide. The Hagen Fire — burning along with the Horse Ridge, Paradise, and Ninemile fires in the Umatilla National Forest area — required the establishment of a command post in Walla Walla and an additional operating base closer to the fire perimeter.

Key Oregon Fire Incidents

  • Akawa Butte Fire (Jefferson County): Grew to 10,326 acres as of July 20, up 3,470 acres in a single day. Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations active in Jefferson and Crook counties, including portions of the Lake Billy Chinook area.
  • Brewer and Box Springs Fires (Central Oregon): Crews engaged in overnight structure protection along SE Grizzly Road and in the Lofton Creek, Turner Creek Road, McKay, and Allen Creek areas.
  • Hagen Fire (Umatilla County): 5,685 acres, 0 percent contained, prompting Emergency Conflagration Act invocation on July 22.
  • Horse Ridge, Paradise, and Ninemile Fires (Umatilla National Forest): Multiple fires managed together under a unified incident command structure with emergency closure orders in effect.

Resources at the Breaking Point

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC) shows a Northwest Preparedness Level of 5, its highest tier. Both regional and national firefighting resources are fully committed. With 14 complex incident management teams deployed and most managing multiple fires simultaneously, the system is operating at maximum capacity.

Oregonians in affected areas should register for emergency alerts through their county sheriff's office, monitor evacuation zone maps at oregon.gov/OEM, and be ready to move quickly if conditions change. The Oregon Smoke Information blog at oregonsmoke.org is also being updated regularly for air quality conditions.