Yesterday at 4:50 p.m., Oregon Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Miller Road Fire in Wasco County. The fire sparked Tuesday afternoon, burning in grass, brush, and juniper. The fire, located near the community of Juniper Flats, is estimated to be 1,000 acres. The Wasco County sheriff issued several evacuations orders for homes near the fire.
Local and mutual aid resources are on scene working to slow the fire’s progress. The Lane County task force, which was pre-positioned in Deschutes County, is also headed to the fire. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Blue Incident Management Team was briefed and will assume command this morning. The OSFM is bringing in five additional task forces through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) from counties around Oregon to assist.
“I have invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Wasco County at the Miller Road/Dodge Fire,” said Governor Kate Brown. “With many fires actively burning across the state and several weeks of peak fire season ahead of us, I am urging all Oregonians to be prepared and do their part to help prevent wildfires – just one spark can light a fire that will quickly spread. Please continue to follow local and statewide fire prevention regulations and share what you know with others. Every fire we prevent helps us keep our communities and firefighters safe, and our natural resources protected.”
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Gov. Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire.
The Office of the State Marshal’s Blue Incident Management Team was mobilized.
Responding agencies include Juniper Flats Fire Dist., Klickitat County Fire Dist., Hood River Fire, and the Lane County Task Forces.
For fire updates: Miller Road Fire Facebook
For evacuation information: Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook
For updates from our office: Oregon State Fire Marshal Facebook