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Governor Kotek Invokes Conflagration Act for Copperfield Fire

Government and Politics

September 3, 2024

From: Oregon Governor Kate Brown

Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on the evening of September 1, 2024 in response to the Copperfield Fire in Klamath County. The Klamath County Fire Defense Board requested assistance with life, safety, and structural fire protection and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 21 uncontained large fires burning in the state. Oregon is using every resource available through partnerships with many agencies to fight the wildland fires blazing across our state. State agencies are working with local communities to continuously assess what state and federal resources are needed.

Following ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration allows the state fire marshal to mobilize resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to support local fire service agencies on scene. This conflagration is declared only for the Copperfield Fire threatening structures in Klamath County.

A link to Executive Order 24-23 can be found here for the Copperfield Fire.

On Sunday night, the Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team entered into unified command with the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 on the Copperfield Fire.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office has declared Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations east of Chiloquin. To check your evacuation status and for evacuation information, please visit the Klamath County Emergency Management page.