In the thick of Oregon’s 2024 wildfire season, communities across the state find themselves grappling with fires of historic proportions. Central Oregon, in particular, has been at the heart of this year’s destructive wildfires, with some of the most popular destinations and residential areas placed under mandatory evacuation orders. As these blazes persist, Oregonians are banding together, but the crisis is far from over.
Central Oregon Fires: A Region Under Siege
Wildfires have become a summer hallmark in the West, but 2024 is shaping up to be particularly harsh. The situation in Central Oregon has escalated dramatically in recent weeks. Fires like the Backside Fire have threatened both rural communities and beloved recreational spots, such as Mt. Bachelor Resort. The resort, a pillar of the local economy, was forced to close its doors due to the proximity of the flames. For many locals, the impact has been more than just financial—it’s personal.
Evacuation orders have been issued for entire neighborhoods and popular campgrounds like Todd Creek and Sparks Lake. As the fires crept closer, these areas were placed under Level 3 “Go Now” alerts, causing residents to flee with little more than what they could carry. Firefighters, both local and from across the region, have been working tirelessly, but the sheer size and intensity of the fires are making containment difficult.
Governor Tina Kotek Declares Preparedness Month
In light of these fires, Governor Tina Kotek’s declaration of September as “Preparedness Month” couldn’t have come at a more critical time. As wildfires spread, the need for personal and community preparedness is more evident than ever. The state, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), rolled out the “Be 2 Weeks Ready” toolkit, designed to help Oregonians get prepared for emergencies.
The initiative encourages residents to think about what they would need if they had to survive without external help for two weeks—a grim but necessary thought given the speed with which wildfires can develop. The toolkit includes advice on assembling go-bags, securing important documents, and signing up for emergency alerts via ORAlert. This proactive approach is meant to give people the tools they need before the flames come too close for comfort.
As Kotek pointed out, these wildfires serve as a painful reminder that no one is immune to Oregon’s increasingly volatile fire seasons. “We’ve seen the devastation these fires can cause, and it’s more important than ever that our communities are prepared,” Kotek said during a recent press conference, where she praised the efforts of local emergency responders working around the clock to protect lives.
Firefighters on the Front Lines: An Uphill Battle
Despite the best efforts of local, state, and federal firefighting teams, the scale of this year’s wildfires has pushed resources to their limits. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has been coordinating teams across multiple counties, working to contain blazes that have already destroyed over 36 homes and scorched thousands of acres of land. The constant threat of strong winds and dry conditions has made it nearly impossible for crews to fully suppress the fires.
John Hendricks, spokesperson for the Oregon State Fire Marshal, expressed concern about the possibility of more fires erupting as the season progresses. “We’ve got some triple-digit temperatures coming up, and people need to be prepared,” Hendricks said. “The fires we’re dealing with now are massive, and we’re stretched thin. It’s a tough situation, but we’re doing everything we can.
With triple-digit heat predicted in the coming days, the concern is that existing fires could grow even larger, and new ones could start at any moment. Red Flag Warnings have been issued across much of the state, warning residents to be on high alert. For many, it feels like a race against time.
A Statewide Economic and Environmental Toll
The impact of these fires goes beyond the immediate destruction of homes and property. The closure of Mt. Bachelor Resort, a major tourist draw for Central Oregon, will hurt the local economy. Outdoor recreation is a key industry in this part of the state, and with the fires keeping visitors away, businesses that depend on tourism are bracing for tough times ahead.
On the environmental front, the damage is equally profound. Oregon’s forests play a crucial role in the state’s ecosystem, providing habitat for countless species and acting as a vital carbon sink. The destruction of these areas by wildfires will have long-term consequences, both for local wildlife and for efforts to combat climate change.
The fires have also caused air quality to plummet across much of the state. Thick smoke has blanketed cities like Bend and Portland, creating hazardous conditions for those with respiratory issues and forcing people to stay indoors. For many Oregonians, the pervasive smoke serves as a daily reminder of the fires still burning in the mountains.
Climate Change: Fueling Oregon’s Firestorms
As scientists continue to study the causes behind Oregon’s worsening wildfire seasons, the role of climate change has become impossible to ignore. Rising global temperatures are causing longer, hotter, and drier summers in the Pacific Northwest, and 2024 has been no exception. Oregon saw an unusual heatwave in early September, with temperatures spiking above 100°F in several regions. Combined with the state’s characteristically dry summer winds, these conditions have created a perfect storm for wildfires.
Experts warn that without significant efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Oregon and other western states could see more frequent and more intense wildfire seasons in the coming decades. This year’s fires are a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat—it’s happening now, and its effects are being felt across the state.
What Oregonians Can Do to Stay Safe
With the fires still raging, state officials are urging residents to take every precaution to protect themselves. The OEM’s “Be 2 Weeks Ready” toolkit lays out several steps that individuals and families can take, including:
- Sign up for emergency alerts: Make sure you’re registered for ORAlert, Oregon’s official emergency notification system.
- Create a go-bag: Pack essential items like food, water, medications, and important documents in case you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
- Clear defensible space around your home: Remove dead vegetation and flammable materials from around your house to reduce the risk of it catching fire.
- Stay informed about weather conditions: Pay attention to Red Flag Warnings and other alerts issued by local authorities to know when the fire risk is highest.
Looking Ahead: Building Resilience for Future Fire Seasons
As Oregonians continue to face the immediate threat of wildfires, the long-term question remains: What can be done to prevent this from happening again? Addressing the root causes of these fires—particularly climate change—will be essential for reducing the frequency and severity of future wildfire seasons.
In the meantime, community preparedness and resilience will play a critical role in protecting lives and property. Governor Kotek’s declaration of Preparedness Month and the release of the OEM’s toolkit are steps in the right direction, but the real test will come in how well these measures are adopted by local communities. As one resident who was recently evacuated put it, “We didn’t think it could happen to us—but now we know better.
For now, Oregonians are watching the skies and hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
