SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing four structural task forces and its green incident management team to the Telephone Fire burning in Harney County, 12 miles northeast of Burns.

The lightning-caused fire started on July 22 and is now threatening homes and structures. As of this morning, the fire was estimated at 38,726 acres with 23 percent containment. 

The area remains under a Red Flag Warning, Excessive Heat Warning, and Fire Weather Watch. Temperatures are in the high 90s to low 100s. Critical fire weather will continue for the next several days with high temperatures and low relative humidity.

The incident management team and two structural task forces will be briefed at 9 p.m. tonight with another two task forces arriving tomorrow morning. 

“Another heat wave with critical fire weather is affecting much of Eastern Oregon. The 2024 wildfire season has already proven to be difficult, with more than 1.2 million acres burned across the state. We have many large wildfires burning with no end in sight,” Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Medema said. “I encourage everyone to be aware of these critical fire weather conditions and take every precaution you can to avoid sparking a wildfire.”

On Thursday afternoon, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property.

Following ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.