Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Elk Lane Fire in Jefferson County.
This decision follows a request made by the local fire defense board and approved by the state fire marshal on Monday morning.
On Sunday night, task forces from Lincoln and Polk counties, pre-positioned in Central Oregon, assisted local agencies with structure protection.
This morning, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) mobilized its Red Incident Management Team and additional structural task forces to safeguard life and property.
The act was utilized to quickly bring in more resources.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple stated: “The two task forces we pre-positioned in Central Oregon on Friday have been busy helping several local agencies respond to wildfires including two fires that sparked moments after they arrived.”
She emphasized the importance of pre-positioning resources as a proactive measure.
Jefferson County Fire District 1 reported a large lightning storm with gusty winds sparked the Elk Lane Fire, which has grown to approximately 3,000 acres.
The region is expected to experience temperatures in the high 90s with wind gusts up to 18 miles per hour.
Evacuation orders are in place at levels 1, 2, and 3.
The OSFM has mobilized its Red Incident Management Team and five structural protection task forces from Clackamas, Lincoln, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties.
These teams are focusing on protecting lives and properties as the fire continues to spread.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring the situation and providing updates on evacuation orders.
Residents are urged to stay informed and follow evacuation guidelines to ensure their safety.
With fire weather conditions unlikely to improve over the next week, the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging residents to be wildfire aware.
“Pre-positioning these resources has been an extremely valuable tool as our agency focuses on being proactive in keeping fires small and away from communities,” Ruiz-Temple said.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about wildfire prevention tips and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of fires.
The OSFM continues to work with local agencies to manage the wildfire and protect affected communities.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Elk Lane Fire in Jefferson County.
The OSFM mobilized additional resources to protect life and property.
The Elk Lane Fire, sparked by a lightning storm, has grown to 3,000 acres.
Task forces from multiple counties are assisting in the response.
The region faces high temperatures and wind gusts, with evacuation orders in place.
The OSFM stresses the importance of wildfire awareness and prevention as efforts continue to manage the fire.
