West Coast Fire Thread

[Ernie]

Here in the east, all the days with hazy smoke from the Canadian fire apparently cost us some flavor and sweetness in the melons we had at produce auction today. Melons need that direct, hot sun to sweeten up.

Learned something new today.

[R7ehr]

Here in the east, all the days with hazy smoke from the Canadian fire apparently cost us some flavor and sweetness in the melons we had at produce auction today. Melons need that direct, hot sun to sweeten up.

I see. Also slows your tomato ripening.

[R7ehr]

Another lightning storm last night. 24 more fires.

Oregon was hit by 8,357 lightning strikes during the thunderstorms on July 22, which sparked a collection of new wildfires and will likely produce more, even as the system brought helpful rain.

The lightning was most concentrated in Oregon's Coast Range, Central Cascades and in southeast Oregon, but also in the Willamette Valley particularly near Albany and Corvallis.

A smattering of new fires ignited from the lightning, including 24 in central Oregon, but they're more likely to pop up as "holdovers" in the coming days and week on the west side of the state.

"Lightning fires can take some time to show," said Jessica Neujahr, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Forestry. "Firefighters remain prepared to for initial attack as new fires start to pop up."

In the meantime, the numerous already-burning wildfires in central Oregon did get some help with rainfall, but it was spotty, producing almost no rain in some areas while bringing nearly an inch in other locations.

The storms helped quell some fires, but caused others, like the Awaka Fire burning near Sisters to grow, bringing fresh evacuation orders and forest closures.

…

There remain 24 major wildfires burning in Oregon and more than 9,000 fire personnel working the blazes, mostly in central and eastern Oregon.

Six homes have been lost in the fires so far, while firefighting costs have already reached $130 million.

All totaled, fires have blackened more than 500,000 acres of Oregon — more than all of 2025.

The Awaka Butte Fire grew on July 22 due to erratic winds associated with the storm, even as some rainfall helped slow the blaze.

Level 3 (go now) evacuations were expanded just north of Sisters and level 1 evacuation warnings (be prepared) were issued down into the town.

The fire is 26,144 acres at 3% containment on July 23. Evacuations locations can be found here.

"As fire behavior moderated the night crews took advantage of the change in the weather and built direct control line whenever and wherever possible," said Operations Section Chief Adam Sinkey at a morning briefing.

…

Around 2,000 lighting strikes in central Oregon ignited at least 24 fires that crews quickly responded to and mostly kept small.

One exception is the Tenmile Fire northeast of Madras that has grown to 800 acres, is threatening structures and has brought level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations.

Another fire burned 20 acres near Smith Rock State Park but has been slowed, while another, the Dickerson Fire, burned 137 fires near Brothers but is 80% contained.

More fires North and South of us.

[R7ehr]

I don’t think we’ve ever had so many wildfires at once all around us. Along with the others, the new ones from last night:
One started to the south of us about 10 miles away, its at 50 acres.
Two to the north are about 20 miles away, one is 800 acres, one is 15 acres.
One to the north east is 13 miles and is 500 acres
One to the north west is 2 miles away, and is less than an acre.
Fortunately the air is clear right now, smoke isn’t covering us. After a few days of smoke, clear air and skies are so good. The very large firefighting aircraft are able to fly now, just saw one go over now to the NE and another to the NW.

The Akawa Butte fire burning outside of Sisters in central Oregon exploded in size Wednesday afternoon as near triple-digit temperatures and strong winds fueled rapid fire growth.

Fire officials said a pyrocumulus cloud — a massive cloud generated by intense heat from the fire — formed over the blaze Wednesday afternoon, creating its own weather system and bringing additional lightning and dangerous fire behavior to the area. Crews battled flames reaching 150 to 200 feet high throughout the evening.
…
Nearly 1,000 personnel, 57 engines, nine helicopters and 21 water trucks have deployed to the blaze.

[Ernie]

The very large firefighting aircraft are able to fly now, just saw one go over now to the NE and another to the NW.

why couldn't they fly before?

[R7ehr]

One of my coworkers said that their significant other works for a city fire department full time. And they are probably going to get called out to fight wildfires for two weeks. If so, he said they get paid around the clock from the time they leave the station to when they return. He was hoping to get $16,000 for the two weeks, which isn’t bad money. Another coworker has a son who is doing the seasonal wildfire gig. Another person I know works as a waitress and at Home Depot in the winter and as a wildfire fighter in the summer. It sounds like a young persons gig, very hard physical work, long hours, camping out all summer.

[R7ehr]

The very large firefighting aircraft are able to fly now, just saw one go over now to the NE and another to the NW.

why couldn't they fly before?

I think when the visibility isn’t good enough, they are grounded. So they can’t at night, and probably can’t if the smoke is just blanketing the entire area. This are is somewhat rugged, with buttes, mountains, and canyons, and the airplanes need to be able to fly low over the fire to drop their retardant accurately and safely. They often have a small spotter/command/lead plane circling high above the fire like a quarterback.

[R7ehr]

Oregon now has more than 10,000 fire personnel working blazes that cover more than 500,000 acres combined, primarily in central and eastern Oregon.

The most critical of the fires is likely the 27,000 acre Akawa Butte Fire burning just outside Sisters, which is 5% contained. It has burnt two houses. (Six others have burnt in other wildfires.)

The two largest fires in the state include the massive Rowe Creek Complex (193,000 acres including more than 10 different fires near Fossil) and the Hay Creek Complex (155,000 acres near Condon).

Windy and dry conditions will keep a red flag warning in place for much of Oregon east of the Cascades, according to the National Weather Service, meaning the fires could grow over the weekend.

[R7ehr]

There are a lot of larger fires going on here, but the Akawa Butte Fire is large and is the most critical one in the nation right now. Still only saying 5% contained, but must be more than that, doesn’t seem to be growing. Lots of houses threatened. Firefighters from Washington, Nevada, California, Florida, are here, with more from New Zealand, and Australia expected next week.
https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news ... 842e2.html

As some of the larger ones are getting more contained, it is freeing up equipment and people to help with this one. Some of the largest ones are not threatening any towns either.

Today there were a lot of very large airplanes flying low overhead with retardant. Good to see. They are the most effective tool for these fires.
These are four engine prop HV-130 Hercules, C-130Q,
& C-130 four engine prop, DC-10’s jet, BAe-146 jet, MD-87 jet, C-130q jet, RJ85 jet.

The Bench Fire started 48 hours ago, can see it from my house. It grew very fast to 4,500 acres, but is already 20% contained.

[ohio jones]

Oregon has been an ABSOLUTE DISASTER when it comes to taking care of their forests. Look at the mess they've allowed to happen. Millions of acres of dead trees, dry brush, and total MISMANAGEMENT. And what happens? The smoke blows right across our beautiful Northwest -- ruining our air quality, harming our people, and making our Country look bad. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Effective immediately, Oregon will be TARIFFED for their awful negligence. We are not going to sit by while other States destroy the environment and make life worse for hardworking Americans.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

H/T to Signtist