Gov. Tina Kotek has appealed to the Biden administration to declare a disaster in Oregon to provide funding for ranchers, businesses and community members who suffered a historic fire season this year.
A partial list from the Oregon Department of Forestry shows it has collected $86,000 of $24 million it paid to fight several dozen wildfires that were maliciously or negligently ignited over the last two decades.
A fire sparked by a burn pile torched four acres between the Hillside and Gales Creek communities Tuesday afternoon. Nine brush rigs, three fire engines, six water tenders, six fire chiefs, and a total of 47 fire personnel responded to the scene.
With temperatures expected to soar into the triple digits Thursday and a Red Flag Warning starting 9 a.m., local fire officials are urging the public to use caution and avoid anything that could spark a fire.
Oregon Department of Forestry fire crews will mop up hot spots at two lightning-caused wildfires Sunday, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue said in a late morning update.
"We are working with�Oregon Department of Forestry�to gain access to the fire. It is putting up smoke that is visible from the Gales Creek area as well as the west side of Forest Grove," FGF&R said.
Ninety-one years ago to the day, a logging crew at the end of a railroad spur in the upper reaches of the Gales Creek Watershed sparked a wildfire. That spark became the Tillamook Burn.
The Oregon Department of Forestry said the Lee Falls Fire was 100% lined Friday night, keeping the fire at 280 acres. "With control lines established around the fire, and many areas plumbed with fire hose, the arduous process of mop up begins," the Oregon Department of Forestry said.
