2023 Oregon wildfires

This article is a summary of the 2023 Oregon wildfire season, comprising the series of significant wildfires that have burned in the U.S. state of Oregon since the beginning of the calendar year. Fire season officially began in all areas of the state by July 1, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). As of September 5, 2023, the state had recorded 1,731 fires, which had burned a total of 159,991 acres (64,746 hectares).[1]

2023 Oregon wildfires
Top: As seen by satellite, smoke from the Bedrock Fire spreads over Willamette National Forest on August 1
Bottom: The Flat Fire burns in Curry County in southeastern Oregon on July 17
Statistics
Total fires1,731
Total area159,991 acres (64,746 ha)
Date(s)
  • January 1 –
  • December 31, 2023
Season
← 2022
2024 →

Outlook

Fire season in the Pacific Northwest often lasts from May until October.[2] A wet spring and large snowpack in the state may be responsible for delaying fire season at higher elevations for several weeks, but climatologists and other researchers note that abnormally hot and dry conditions may develop in late summer and fall as a result of the transition to El Niño conditions.[3]

Refer to caption.
Smoke from Oregon wildfires seen in a NASA image taken August 15 by the Terra satellite

The National Interagency Coordination Center, in its seasonal fire assessment and outlook released in July, forecast above-normal significant fire potential in the Pacific Northwest through September.[4] The August outlook continued this forecast, predicting that "Significant fire potential will be above average for the entire geographic area in August and September. In October, elevated risk of significant fires will shift west of the Cascades due to the likelihood of dry easterly winds in autumn. By November, significant fire risk will decrease back to normal (i.e., low) for the entire geographic area as cooler and wetter weather arrives."[5]: 6 

All Oregon Department of Forestry districts declared the beginning of fire season by July 1.[6] The Northwest Coordination Center upgraded the region's preparedness level (referring to the availability of firefighting resources) from PL 1 to PL 2 on July 3, PL 3 on July 23, PL 4 on August 12, and PL5—the highest level—on August 19.[7]

Impacts

Highway closures and wildfire smoke affected businesses in the vicinity of the Smith River Complex fire, burning in northern California and southern Oregon.[8]

Camp Creek Fire

List of wildfires

The following is a list of Oregon wildfires in 2023 that have burned more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares), have resulted in casualties or significant damage to structures, or have otherwise been notable. Acreage and containment figures may not be up to date.

Name County Acres Start date Containment date Notes Refs
Madeuce Morrow2,160May 15May 18Human-caused.[9]
Dillon Creek Klamath3,119May 20June 6Caused by lightning. This fire was allowed to burn at a low intensity, within a confined footprint, for ecological benefits. Estimated cost of suppression is $1.38 million.[10][11][9]
Hat Rock Umatilla, Walla Walla (WA)16,816June 13June 17Cause under investigation. Burned in grass and sagebrush, causing evacuations as it burned into Washington. Estimated cost of suppression is $663,000.[12][13][9]
Alder Creek Wheeler1,551July 6July 15Cause under investigation. Estimated cost of suppression is $2 million.[14][15][9]
Devil's Butte Gilliam2,859July 10July 18Caused by lightning. Burned in rangelands and wheat fields, destroying two fire engines. Estimated cost of suppression is $800,000.[16][17][9]
Flat Curry34,242July 15
93% contained
Human-caused; under investigation. Burning partially in the footprint of the 2002 Biscuit Fire. Estimated cost of suppression is $59 million.[18][19][20]
Simnasho Wasco1,280July 21Unknown Cause unknown. Estimated cost of suppression is $2 million.[21][22][20]
Golden Klamath2,137July 22August 6Cause under investigation. 117 structures destroyed, including at least 43 homes. The fire also damaged six miles of fiber-optic cables and more than 100 power poles in Klamath County. Estimated cost of suppression is $8.5 million.[23][24][25][20][26]
Bedrock Lane31,590July 22October 4Cause under investigation. Estimated cost of suppression is $50.2 million.[27][28][29][20][9]
Corbie Harney, Malheur1,141August 1August 3Cause unknown. Estimated cost of suppression is $350,000.[30][31][9]
Lookout Lane, Linn25,754August 5October 11Caused by lightning. Evacuations in effect. Estimated cost of suppression is $18.2 million.[32][33][9]
Smith River Complex Curry, Josephine, Del Norte (CA)95,107August 15
95% contained
Burning mostly in California. Caused by lightning. Consists of the Holiday, Diamond, Kelly, and Prescott fires, as well as many smaller fires.[34][35]
Camp Creek Clackamas, Multnomah2,055August 24
62% contained
Caused by lightning. Burning in the Bull Run Watershed in the Mount Hood National Forest.[36][37][9]
Tyee Ridge Complex Douglas7,945August 24
90% contained
Consists of the Cougar Creek Fire, Tyee Mountain Fire, Big Tom Fire, and Lighthouse fires.[38][39]
Chilcoot Douglas1,940August 24
96% contained
Burning in the Umpqua National Forest.[40][41]
Anvil Curry22,170August 25
80% contained
Burning in the Grassy Knob Wilderness.[42][43]
Petes Lake Lane3,254August 25
80% contained
Burning in the Three Sisters Wilderness.[44][45]
Cottonwood Canyon Sherman2,316August 29September 2Burned on both sides of the John Day River.[46][47]
Morgan Lake2,289September 18
95% contained
Burning in the Fremont–Winema National Forest.[48][49]

See also

References
  1. "Wildland Fire Statistics". ODF Wildfire News. Oregon Department of Forestry. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  2. "Oregon/Washington Fire Management". Bureau of Land Management. Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  3. Samayoa, Monica (May 29, 2023). "A wetter spring in Oregon has forecasters worried about an extended fire season". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  4. North American Seasonal Fire Assessment and Outlook: Outlook Period July through September 2023 (PDF) (Report). National Interagency Coordination Center. July 12, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  5. "National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook: Outlook Period – August through November 2023" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. August 1, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  6. "All ODF districts have entered fire season". ODF Wildfire News. Oregon Department of Forestry. July 5, 2023. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  7. Northwest Preparedness Levels (PDF) (Report). Northwest Coordination Center. 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  8. Hutcherson, Ella; Battaglia, Roman (August 26, 2023). "Tourist businesses heavily impacted by Smith River Complex fires". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  9. 2023 Large Incidents Year-to-Date (ICS-209) (PDF) (Report). Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. Gailey, Brian (May 23, 2023). "Natural fire start offers fuels reduction opportunity; Dillon Creek Fire". Klamath Falls News. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  11. "Dillon Creek fire fully contained; recent lightning sparks second blaze". Herald and News. June 8, 2023. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  12. "Hat Rock Fire in Umatilla County grows to 15,000 acres; Evacuations continue". Central Oregon Daily News. June 14, 2023. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  13. "Hat Rock Fire fully contained, Oregon officials said". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. June 17, 2023. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  14. "Alder Creek Fire 50% contained; Highway 19 fully reopened between Spray and Service Creek". Blue Mountain Eagle. July 10, 2023. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  15. "Incident Management Situation Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 15, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  16. Plante, Aimee (July 11, 2023). "Devil's Butte Fire destroys 2 fire trucks as it spreads to 3,000 acres". KOIN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  17. "Incident Management Situation Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. July 18, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  18. "Flat Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  19. Battaglia, Roman (July 19, 2023). "Flat Fire spreading quickly in Southern Oregon, growing to almost 13,000 acres". Jefferson Public Radio. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  20. "Incident Management Situation Report" (PDF). National Interagency Coordination Center. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  21. "Simnasho Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  22. "A wildfire burning on Warm Springs Reservation more than doubles overnight". Central Oregon Daily News. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  23. "Golden Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  24. "C.O., other task forces sent to Klamath County wildfire that's prompted Bly Mtn. evacuations, Conflagration Act". KTVZ. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  25. "Golden Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  26. Taylor, Derrick Bryson (July 26, 2023). "Oregon Wildfire Destroys Dozens of Homes and Disrupts 911 Service". New York Times. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  27. "Incident Information - Northwest Large Fire Information Summary". Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  28. Bonham, Ryan (July 24, 2023). "Public asked to avoid Big Fall Creek Road due to Bedrock Fire activity". KEZI. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  29. "Bedrock Fire". InciWeb. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  30. "Corbie Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  31. Gould, Mindy (August 2, 2023). "Corbie Fire update in Harney/Malheur County". Elkhorn Media Group. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  32. "Lookout Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  33. "Lookout Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  34. "Smith River Complex Information". Inciweb. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  35. "SRF Smith River Complex". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  36. "Camp Creek Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  37. "Camp Creek Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  38. "Tyee Ridge Complex Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  39. "Tyee Ridge Complex". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  40. "2023 Chilcoot Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  41. "Chilcoot/High Power Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  42. "Anvil Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  43. "Anvil Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  44. "Petes Lake Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  45. "Petes Lake Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  46. "Cottonwood Canyon Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  47. "2,300-acre north-central Oregon fire 40% contained; Hwy. 206, Cottonwood Canyon State Park reopen". KTVZ. August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  48. "Morgan Fire". Watch Duty. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  49. "Morgan Fire Information". InciWeb. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
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