2024 Oregon wildfires

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2024 Oregon wildfires
Smoke column from the Little Yamsay Fire as seen on Silver Lake Road - May 11, 2024.jpg
Smoke column from the Little Yamsay Fire as seen on Silver Lake Road - May 11, 2024
Statistics
Total fires2,039 [1]
Total area1,915,554 acres (775,197 ha) [2]
Impacts
Deaths1 [3]
Season
←  2023
2025  →

The 2024 Oregon wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Oregon.

Contents

Predictions for the 2024 fire season made by the National Interagency Fire Center forecasted above average wildfire potential in the southeastern portion of the state and average wildfire potential throughout the rest of Oregon. [4]

As of September 23, an estimated 1.9 million acres have burned, breaking the state record previously set in 2020. [5] The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) declared an official end to the record-breaking fire season on October 28. [6]

Background

"Fire season" in Oregon typically begins in mid-May and ends with the first rains that normally begins in late September. Drought, snowpack levels, and local weather conditions play a role in Oregon's fire season, particularly in Eastern and Southwest Oregon. During peak fire season from July to September, most wildfires are caused by lightning, while ignitions in the early and later parts of the season are related to humans. Warm, dry conditions in summer heighten the wildfire risk. After over 100 years of fire suppression and prevention of all fires, there is now an abundance of fuel. Climate change is leading to a reduced snowpack with an earlier and reduced snowmelt, so there is a higher risk for areas that receive wildfires. [7]

Summary

By late September, Oregon recorded a record-breaking ~1.9 million acres burned—a staggering jump compared to 2023’s much more moderate figures. [8] [9] The wildfire season featured several megafires—including the lightning-ignited Durkee Fire, which charred roughly 294,000 acres in eastern Oregon and became the largest blaze of the year in the state [10] —as well as the Little Yamsay Fire, the season’s first, which spread over 6,340 acres near Klamath Falls but was fully contained with no fatalities. [11]

Spending on wildfire response surged: the Oregon Department of Forestry reported a staggering $132 million spent—more than triple the usual amount—with total suppression costs nearing $317 million, much of which is expected to be reimbursed federally. [12] . In response, lawmakers convened a special legislative session, approving $218 million in emergency funding to shore up resources and prepare for increasing wildfire risk amid a warming climate. [13]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.

NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment date [a] NotesRef
Little Yamsay Klamath 6,340April 20May 13Lightning-caused [15] [16]
Bowden Malheur 5,720June 6August 18 [17]
Upper Applegate Jackson 1,143June 20June 30Caused by human activity. [18]
Long Bend Wasco 1,024June 22July 26 [17]
Darlene 3 Deschutes 3,903June 25July 1undetermined [19] [20]
Little Valley Malheur 17,901June 26July 1undetermined [21] [22]
Dry Lake Malheur 2,670June 26October 9Lightning-caused. [17]
Salt Creek Jackson 4,102July 7July 24Human-caused [23] [24] [25]
Upper Pine Harney 1,086July 8July 19undetermined [26] [27] [28]
Larch Creek Wasco 18,286July 9July 26Human-caused [29] [30]
Falls Harney 151,680July 10August 22Human-caused, destroyed 23 buildings, pilot killed in tanker plane crash. [31] [32] [23] [33] [34]
Huntington Mutual Aid Baker 4,511July 10July 16undetermined [35]
River Malheur 2,799July 10July 13undetermined, near Owyhee Dam [36] [37] [38] [39]
Cow Valley Malheur 133,490July 11October 1Human-caused [40] [41]
Bonita Road Malheur 2,727July 11July 25Human-caused [40] [41]
Lone Rock Gilliam, Morrow, Wheeler 137,222July 13September 11undetermined [40]
Diamond Complex Douglas 11,141July 16202412 Lightning-caused fires. [42]
Ore Lane, Linn 3,479July 16September 26Under Investigation. [43]
Red Klamath 3,060July 17November 12Lightning-caused fire. [44]
Battle Mountain Complex Umatilla, Grant, Morrow 183,026July 17August 20Lightning-caused. Originally consisting of the North Fork Owens and Snake Fires, the Monkey Creek and Boneyard fires also merged into the complex. [40] [45] [46] [47]
Chalk Lane 5,991July 17September 14Part of the Oakridge Lightning Fires Complex. [48] [49]
Coffeepot Lane 6,176July 17August 23Part of the Oakridge Lightning Fires Complex. [48]
Coombes Canyon Umatilla 3,224July 17July 22Lightning-caused. [50]
Durkee Baker, Malheur 294,265July 17September 9Lightning-caused; 5th-largest wildfire in Oregon history; hundreds of cattle killed. [51] [52] [53] [54]
Lane 1 Douglas, Lane 25,951July 17November 10 [55]
Middle Fork Douglas, Klamath 5,286July 17October 31Mostly located inside Crater Lake National Park, closing the north entrance. [56] [57]
Pilot Rock Umatilla 11,349July 17July 26Lightning-caused. [58] [50]
Moss Mountain Lane 2,849July 17October 25Lightning-caused. [59]
208 Lane 11,263July 17October 25Lightning-caused fire. [60]
Pyramid Linn 1,312July 17September 24Lightning-caused fire. [61]
Twin Springs Malheur 2,815July 17July 18 [62]
Horse Heaven Creek Lane 3,198July 18November 6Part of Homestead Complex. [63]
No Man Lane 2,148July 18NovemberPart of Homestead Complex. [64]
Whisky Creek Hood River 3,240July 20October 31 [65]
Fuller Lake Douglas 6,378July 20November 5Part of Homestead Complex. [66]
Courtrock Grant 20,019July 21August 17Lightning caused. [67]
Badlands Complex Baker 54,563July 22August 12Lightning-caused fires. Caused closures of Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon. Includes the Thompson and Coyote fires. [68]
Crazy Creek Crook, Wheeler 86,968July 22September 25Lightning-caused [69] [70]
Telephone Harney 54,034July 22August 21Lightning-caused fires. [71]
Durgan Crook 3,245July 22July 25 [72]
Microwave Tower Hood River, Wasco 1,312July 22August 12 [73]
Camp Creek Crook 1,581July 23JulyLightning-caused. [17]
Hole In The Ground Malheur 98,977July 24August 2 [74]
Whiskey Mountain Harney 4,357July 24August 8 [17]
Cedar Creek Malheur 1,546July 24July 30 [75]
Grasshopper Malheur 2,665July 24August 2 [76]
Gilespie Spring Malheur 2,556July 24July 25Lightning-caused. [77]
Poison Creek Grant 1,060July 25August 7 [78]
Sand Grant 7,582July 25August 15Lightning-caused. [79]
Powerline Road Umatilla 1,500July 25August 1Also referred to as the Walla Walla River Road Fire. [80]
Elk Lane Jefferson 5,176August 4August 14Lightning-caused. [81]
Town Gulch Baker 18,234August 5August 19 [82]
Porcupine Harney 6,495August 5August 19 [83]
Soldier Creek Malheur 11,061August 5August 14 [84]
Warner Peak Lake 65,866August 5August 24 [85]
Dixon Douglas 1,965August 10August 21 [17]
0672 RV Gilliam 5,490August 17August 21 [17]
Copperfield Klamath 3,822September 1September 16 [86]
Conroy Road Wasco 1,500September 1September 2 [87]
Wiley Flat Crook 30,185September 2October 11 [88]
Shoe Fly Wheeler 26,817September 2September 15 [89]
Oak Canyon Wasco, Sherman 15,170September 2September 6 [90]
Jones Malheur 7,162September 2September 11 [91]
Rail Ridge Crook, Grant 176,661September 2November 1 [92]
Solomon Harney 2,600September 2September 8 [93]
Sagehen Harney 5,953September 2October [94]
Devils Knob Douglas 4,149September 5October 17 [95]
Bowman Well Lake 2,853September 6October 14Lightning caused. [96]
Firestone Lake, Deschutes 9,462September 6October 5Lightning caused. [97]
Service Wheeler 23,890September 6September 25Part of Fossil Complex. [98]
Flat Top Lake 36,362September 6October 5Likely lightning-caused. [99]
Young Grasshopper Lane 5,313September 6November 9Likely lightning-caused. [100]
Buck Creek Lake 5,758September 7October 8Likely lightning-caused. [101]
Linton Creek Lane 1,310September 7November 3Likely lightning-caused. [102]
Little Lava Deschutes 15,514September 8November 15Likely lightning-caused. [103]
Pine Deschutes 6,634October 7October 24 [104]
2024 Oregon wildfires
Perimeters of 2024 Oregon wildfires (map data)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Containment means that fire crews have established and secured control lines around the fire's perimeter. These lines are artificial barriers, like trenches or cleared vegetation, designed to stop the fire's spread, or natural barriers like rivers. Containment reflects progress in managing the fire but does not necessarily mean the fire is starved of fuel, under control, or put out. [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Fire situation reports". Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Fire situation reports". Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Tanker-plane wreckage, body of pilot found in eastern Oregon; investigation underway". Oregonlive. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ Alex Jensen (June 1, 2024). "National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook, period June through September 2024" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. pp. 1, 5–6.
  5. ↑ "Fire situation reports". Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  6. ↑ Desaulniers, Robert (October 28, 2024). "Oregon Department of Forestry declares official end to fire season in Oregon". KEZI 9 News. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Oregon Fire Season: In-Depth Guide". wfca.com. Western Fire Chiefs Association. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Oregon lawmakers approve $218 million in emergency wildfire funding in special session". AP News. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Oregon's costly wildfire season". Axios. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Durkee Fire". InciWeb . United States Forest Service. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ Corser, Bobby (May 13, 2024). "Southern Oregon battles first wildfire of 2024 as Little Yamsay Fire scorches 6,300 acres". KTVL. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Oregon's costly wildfire season". Axios. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Oregon lawmakers approve $218 million in emergency wildfire funding in special session". AP News. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  14. ↑ "What containment and other wildfire related terms mean". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. September 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Little Yamsay Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Little Yamsay Fire being used as prescribed burn near Chemult". KDRV. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 National Interagency Fire Center (2024). "WFIGS 2024 Interagency Fire Perimeters to Date" (Interactive map and database). data-nifc.opendata.arcgis.com. National Interagency Fire Center.
  18. ↑ "Upper Applegate Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ "NWCC :: Home". gacc.nifc.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  20. ↑ "National Interagency Fire Center". www.nifc.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  21. ↑ Today, U. S. A. "LITTLE VALLEY - Wildfire and Smoke Map". USA Today. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  22. ↑ "National Interagency Fire Center". www.nifc.gov. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  23. 1 2 Ferrara, John Ross (July 16, 2024). "Multiple Oregon wildfires grow by tens of thousands of acres". KOIN . Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ Collom, Liv (July 10, 2024). "Salt Creek Fire containment now 7%". NewsWatch 12 KDRV. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  25. ↑ "| InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  26. ↑ Gould, Mindy (July 9, 2024). "Warmer, drier weather reactivates Upper Pine Prescribed Burn". Elkhorn Media Group. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  27. ↑ "National Interagency Fire Center". www.nifc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  28. ↑ "IMSR" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Larch Creek Fire rapidly burning in Wasco County was 'human caused,' state fire marshal says". kgw.com. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  30. ↑ "National Interagency Fire Center". www.nifc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  31. ↑ "| InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery | Homepage". wildfire.oregon.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Falls fire destroys buildings in Eastern Oregon; 10 other large wildfires burn throughout state". The Seattle Times. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Air Tanker Crashes, Wildland Pilot Dies Fighting Falls Fire (OR)". fireapparatusmagazine.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  35. ↑ Lerten, Barney (July 12, 2024). "Cow Valley Fire now over 114,000 acres; Malheur County SO issues Level 2 'Be Set' evacuation notice; Vale at Level 1". KTVZ. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Fire crews working to contain rapidly growing wildfire near the Owyhee Dam – Malheur Enterprise". July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  37. ↑ "National Interagency Fire Center". www.nifc.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  38. ↑ "IMSR" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 14, 2024. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  39. ↑ "IMSR" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  40. 1 2 3 4 "IMSR" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  41. 1 2 "Crews making big progress on Cow Valley Fire, 77% contained, but Durkee Fire spreading quickly, nearly 25,000 acres". KTVZ. July 12, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  42. ↑ "Diamond Complex Daily Update for Sunday July 21st, 2024 07-21-2024". InciWeb. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Ore Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  44. ↑ "Red Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  45. ↑ Thesman, Dan (July 20, 2024). "Battle Mountain Complex community meeting scheduled for Sat. night". Elkhorn Media Group. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  46. ↑ "Boneyard Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Snake Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  48. 1 2 "Oakridge Lightning Fires". InciWeb. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  49. ↑ "Chalk Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  50. 1 2 Huff, Josh Culbreth, Morgan (July 18, 2024). "Pilot Rock Fire now 50% contained--evacuations still in place". AppleValleyNewsNow.com. Retrieved July 20, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  51. ↑ "Orvad Durkee Fire Information". InciWeb . July 20, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  52. ↑ Herald, Baker City (July 20, 2024). "Durkee Fire crosses Burnt River to north, prompts new evacuation notices along Burnt River Canyon Road". Baker City Herald. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Cow Valley Fire Friday update includes battle against new lightning-caused Durkee Fire". Central Oregon Daily. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  54. ↑ "'Firenado' rips through California in year's biggest blaze". BBC. July 26, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Lane 1 Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Middle Fork Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  57. ↑ "Middle Fork Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  58. ↑ Hoyt, Jedediah (July 18, 2024). "Lightning storms trigger multiple wildfires, prompt urgent evacuations in Umatilla County". KEPR. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  59. ↑ "Moss Mountain Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  60. ↑ "208 Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Pyramid and Slate Fires". InciWeb. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  62. ↑ "Twin Springs Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  63. ↑ "Horse Heaven Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  64. ↑ "No Man Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  65. ↑ "Whisky Creek Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  66. ↑ "Fuller Lake Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  67. ↑ "Courtrock Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  68. ↑ "Badland Complex 2024". InciWeb. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  69. ↑ "Crazy Creek". InciWeb. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  70. ↑ "Crazy Creek Fire (501)". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  71. ↑ "Telephone Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  72. ↑ "Durgan Fire (502)". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  73. ↑ "Microwave Tower Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  74. ↑ "Nearly half of U.S. fire resources focused on Oregon, Washington blazes". kpic.com. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  75. ↑ "Cedar Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  76. ↑ "Grasshopper Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  77. ↑ "Gilespie Spring Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  78. ↑ "Poison Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  79. ↑ "Sand Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  80. ↑ "Powerline Road Fire update for July 27". Elkhorn Media Group. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  81. ↑ "Elk Lane Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  82. ↑ "Town Gulch Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  83. ↑ "Porcupine Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  84. ↑ "Soldier Creek Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  85. ↑ "Warner Peak Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  86. ↑ "Copperfield Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  87. ↑ "Conroy Road Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  88. ↑ "Wiley Flat Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  89. ↑ "Shoe Fly Fire on Inciweb". Inciweb. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  90. ↑ "Oak Canyon Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  91. ↑ "Jones Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  92. ↑ "Rail Ridge Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  93. ↑ "Solomon Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  94. ↑ "Sagehen Fire on Watch Duty". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  95. ↑ "Devils Knob Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  96. ↑ "Bowman Well Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  97. ↑ "Firestone Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  98. ↑ "Service Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  99. ↑ "Flat Top Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  100. ↑ "Young Grasshopper Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  101. ↑ "Buck Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  102. ↑ "Linton Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  103. ↑ "Little Lava Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  104. ↑ "Pine Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
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