The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is deploying significant resources to battle the Telephone Fire burning in Harney County, located 12 miles northeast of Burns. The lightning-caused fire, which started on July 22, has grown to 38,726 acres and is currently 23% contained.
In response to the escalating threat to homes and structures, Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, allowing the OSFM to mobilize additional resources. This includes four structural task forces and its green incident management team, which are focused on protecting residential areas.
The region remains under a Red Flag Warning, Excessive Heat Warning, and Fire Weather Watch, with temperatures soaring into the high 90s to low 100s. Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist for several days, characterized by high temperatures and low relative humidity.
Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Another heat wave with critical fire weather is affecting much of Eastern Oregon. The 2024 wildfire season has already proven to be difficult, with more than 1.2 million acres burned across the state. We have many large wildfires burning with no end in sight.” He urged the public to be aware of these conditions and to take every precaution to avoid sparking new wildfires.
The incident management team and two structural task forces will be briefed at 9 p.m. tonight, with two additional task forces arriving tomorrow morning. Homeowners in the affected areas are encouraged to stay informed about evacuation orders and prepare their properties for potential evacuation.
For the latest updates on evacuation statuses and fire conditions, residents should look to local authorities, including the Harney County Sheriff’s office.
