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Cram Fire

DEQ issues air quality advisory for Jefferson, Klamath counties due to wildfire smoke; rest of local area also affected

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Wednesday for Klamath and Jefferson counties due to smoke from Hagelstein and Elk fires in Klamath County and the Cram Fire in Jefferson County. DEQ said it expects the air quality advisory to last until at least 10 a.m.

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Highland Fire small plane retardant drop Dennis Potter

Governor Kotek declares state of emergency for the rest of 2025 due to imminent threat of wildfire

Declaration allows responders to use all necessary and appropriate resources of the state to support wildfire response.  SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday due to the imminent threat of wildfire in an executive order that extends through the rest of the calendar year.“Oregon is already experiencing a

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Public Use Fire Restrictions

Amid hot, dry weather, the Deschutes National Forest is expanding public use fire restrictions to wilderness areas

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Due to continued hot and dry conditions, as well as increased fire starts, the Deschutes National Forest said Tuesday it will include all wilderness areas under Stage 1 public use fire restrictions starting on Friday, July 18.  Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Stage 1 public use fire restrictions prohibit open

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Scooper frefighting plane draws water from Lake Billy Chinook

Vital role: Scooper planes, helicopters draw water from Lake Billy Chinook to help fight the Cram Fire

CULVER, Ore. (KTVZ) — Large retardant planes get much of the focus of wildfire-fighting attention, but the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office pointed out Monday just how key the water-scooping planes and helicopters are in those efforts. They shared a video of the operations at Lake Billy Chinook on Facebook, with this note: “The air support

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Willow Fire fought at night

Willow Fire tops 4,417 acres, now 75% contained; BLM issues area closure, but all evacuation alerts reduced to Level 1

The Willow Fire has grown to 4,403 acres, burning on Prineville District BLM and private land in southeast Crook County, officials said Friday. Despite zero containment and a new BLM closure order, progress led county officials to reduce Level 3 GO NOW and Level 2 GET SET evacuation alerts to Level 1 GET READY.

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Willow Fire fought at night

Oregon Department of Forestry says they’re ‘anticipating the fire season to pick up’ amid red flag warnings

(Update: Adding video, comments from ODF) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)– We’re just a week into July, and already this fire season has been busy. In just 10 days, hundreds of wildland firefighters have been deployed across the state following intense lightning and dry conditions. Officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say that, so far this season,

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Silver Sparky Award Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District

Sisters-Camp Sherman ‘Fire Corps’ volunteers honored with state fire marshal’s ‘Silver Sparky Award’

(Update: Adding video) SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – A single spark can change everything, and stopping a fire before it has a chance to impact communities can change lives. Community risk reduction through education, prevention, and proactive outreach is at the heart of this work. Many Oregonians rely on their local fire agency or community members to

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‘It’s a great tool’: Local emergency officials react to Watch Duty app’s growing role in monitoring wildfires

(Update: Adding video, details, comments) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – As wildfire season intensifies, many Central Oregonians are turning to the Watch Duty smartphone app or website to stay informed. Since its launch in 2021, the app has become a widely used source for fire information around the region. Watch Duty co-founder Dave Merritt told KTVZ

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Elk Fire viewer photo Watch Duty

2,000-acre Elk Fire in Klamath County forces evacuations; state fire marshal sends five task forces

BONANZA, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing several structural task forces and its Red Incident Management Team to the Elk Fire burning about eight miles north of Bonanza in southern Klamath County. The fire was reported Tuesday morning, quickly grew to about 2,000 acres, and is threatening homes and critical infrastructure.

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