On Sept. 7, an unprecedented wind event began across the Northwest in the early evening. Winds from the east gusted up to 50 mph across the state of Oregon, fanning the flames of existing large fires on the landscape.
The Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS), made up by the Oregon structural fire service, worked nonstop, from the initial onset of fires beginning the evening of Sept. 7 and throughout the following days.
In accordance with ORS 476.510 - 476.610, Governor Kate Brown determined that threats to life, safety and property existed due to fire, and those threats exceeded the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The Governor's statewide Conflagration Act declaration authorized the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to mobilize resources to assist local resources battling the fire.
"We have structural firefighters from across the state working around the clock to save lives and homes," said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “The Oregon Fire Mutual Aid system provided initial attack to fires throughout Oregon to provide basic life safety and structural protection with the primary focus of saving lives. The state’s mutual aid system has proven critical during this historic series of events.”
Eleven incidents were declared conflagrations over the past week, including a statewide Conflagration Act declaration, where the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System was able to surge resources for assistance. The statistics provided below are current as of Sept. 12.
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Contacts:
Nikki Fisher, Press Secretary and Public Engagement Advisor
Office of Governor Kate Brown
Nikki.FISHER@oregon.gov
503.689.2509
Rudy Owens, Public Affairs Specialist
Office of State Fire Marshal
Rudy.Owens@osp.oregon.gov
503.934.8217