Oregon Wildfires Burn 85,917 Acres Across 133 Fires, Keeping Thousands Under Evacuation
Updated
Updated · KATU · Jul 17
Oregon Wildfires Burn 85,917 Acres Across 133 Fires, Keeping Thousands Under Evacuation
3 articles · Updated · KATU · Jul 17
Summary
85,917 acres have burned across 133 Oregon wildfires, with thousands of residents still under active Level 1, 2 or 3 evacuation orders statewide.
Crosswhite Fire in Wheeler County is the state's largest blaze at 13,883 acres after a lightning strike, while the East Evans Road Fire north of Medford has burned 13,090 acres after a vehicle crash ignited vegetation.
Active evacuation orders now cover at least 14 named fires, including the Anthony, Coyote, Hoag, Salmon, East Evans Road and Crosswhite fires.
The statewide emergency follows a broader lightning outbreak that previously ignited about 140 new fires, underscoring how dry conditions are driving fast-moving fire risk across Oregon.
Are planned power shutoffs the new price for preventing catastrophic wildfires in the West?
With utilities spending billions on grid upgrades, is this the most effective way to fire-proof communities?
2026 Oregon Wildfire Crisis: 80+ Fires, Widespread Evacuations, and the Fight for Community Resilience
Overview
Oregon’s wildfire season has rapidly intensified as of July 17, 2026, with over 80 active fires ignited mainly by recent lightning storms. This surge has created an immediate crisis, especially in Central Oregon, where thunder cells sparked multiple new fires. Thick smoke plumes are visible even from satellite imagery, and thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate. Emergency services are fully engaged, deploying resources to suppress the fires and protect communities. Widespread smoke has also triggered air quality alerts, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated response and public safety measures across the state.