Government and Politics
August 14, 2024
From: Oregon Governor Kate BrownGovernor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on the afternoon of August 10, 2024 in response to the Dixon Fire in Douglas County. The Douglas County Fire Defense Board requested assistance with life, safety, and structural fire protection and the state fire marshal concurred with that request.
“Fire danger across the state of Oregon continues to be an extremely concerning threat,” Governor Kotek said. “August is a challenging month in the wildfire season. Our firefighters have been working around the clock for months to battle an unusual amount of fires early in the season. I continue to urge all Oregonians and visitors to our state to act with extreme caution and heed all fire restrictions.”
As of Monday morning there were 95 active fires, with 24 of them considered as large fires burning in the state. Oregon is using every resource available through partnership with a number of 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 Dixon Fire threatening structures in Douglas County.
A link to Executive Order 24-22 can be found here for the Dixon Fire.
On Saturday afternoon, the Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilized a structural task force from the Rogue Valley through Immediate Response. The Oregon State Fire Marshal activated its Green Incident Management Team and three structural task forces. The Oregon Department of Forestry mobilized ODF Incident Management Team 2 Saturday afternoon as well at the request of the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA).
According to the Douglas County Sheriff, there are levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation notices in place. Please follow the Douglas County Sheriff for the latest evacuation information.