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Fire Alert

65 firefighters from Australia, New Zealand arrive in Northwest to help fight region’s wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A contingent of 65 senior firefighters from Australia and New Zealand has arrived in the Pacific Northwest to assist in combating the region’s large wildfires. After receiving briefings at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, the firefighters were assigned to various large wildfire incidents across the Northwest, including the Willamette Complex

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Private contractors and their speed, expertise play key role in helping Oregon Dept. of Forestry battle wildfires

SWEET HOME, Ore. (KTVZ) — Feller bunchers, bulldozers, water tenders and other specialized equipment play a key role in the initial attack and suppression of Oregon’s wildfires.  Much of that equipment is provided by local operators under a contract agreement with the Oregon Department of Forestry. “One piece of equipment can do the work of

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Lawmakers, fire officials meet with C.O. insurance reps to discuss homeowner policy troubles amid record wildfire season

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden (D-Rogue Valley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire, joined Representative Emerson Levy (D-Central Oregon), Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environment, Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang, local insurance industry representatives, and community wildfire protection experts in Bend on Monday to discuss wildfire,

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Deschutes County still part of latest Oregon DEQ air quality advisory due to wildfire smoke

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency issued a new air quality advisory Monday that again includes Deschutes County, due to smoke from fires in Oregon. The following areas are affected: Deschutes County Northern Harney County Northern Jackson County Northern Klamath County Lake County The agencies

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Crater Lake National Park north entrance to close for a week so crews can prepare control lines for nearby 4,700-acre wildfire

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, Ore. (KTVZ) — The North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park will be closed for about a week, beginning Tuesday, so firefighters on the 4,700-acre Middle Fork Fire to prepare control lines along the North Entrance Road, park officials said Sunday. Fire crews will reduce fuels along the north-south route, creating

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Oregon DEQ extends air quality advisory for Deschutes County, other areas of state due to continuing wildfire smoke

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Lane Regional Air Protection Agency issued an air quality advisory on Friday due to continued smoke from wildfires burning around the state. The following areas are affected: ·        Deschutes County ·        Central and eastern Douglas County ·        Southern Grant County ·        Northern Harney County ·        Klamath County ·        Lake County

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Several Northwest wildfires may burn until the fall rains – or even snow, Forest Service says

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire managers in the Pacific Northwest predicted Thursday that many wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon, and potentially new ones, will persist until the region experiences significant rain or snow this fall. Firefighters are actively battling these fires. With widespread lightning expected this month, fire managers will be adopting a strategic

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After 3 weeks, 294,265-acre Durkee Fire in Eastern Oregon is 95% contained; management returns to local crews

DURKEE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The massive, 3-week-old Durkee Fire in Eastern Oregon is nearing full containment and a management team from the Southern U.S. is handing the firefight back to local units Wednesday night, officials said. DURKEE FIRE Size: 294,265 acres Containment: 95% Location: 1 mile west of Durkee, OR Start Date: July 17, 2024

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Crazy Creek Fire now tops 75,000 acres, still 19% contained despite wind, low humidity fanning the flames

PAULINA, Ore. (KTVZ) — Wind and “critically low humidity” fueled fire behavior Tuesday on the eastern flank of the more than 75,000-acre Crazy Creek Fire, resulting in spot fires and more challenging conditions for crews, officials said Wednesday. Wednesday’s Crazy Creek Fire update: Wind and critically low humidity increase fire activity on east flank of

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Oregon National Guard leaders tour wildfire response, from fire camps to helicopters

BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon, and senior leaders visited National Guard members deployed for wildfire response efforts on Tuesday6, underscoring the Guard’s crucial role in protecting Oregon’s communities. Gronewold’s itinerary included stops at the Harney County Fire Camp and a helicopter staging area near Cottage Grove, where

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