2015 Oregon wildfires | |
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![]() Air tanker dropping fire retardant on a wildfire in Central Oregon | |
Statistics[1] | |
Total fires | 2,588 |
Total area | 685,809 acres (2,775.37 km2) |
The 2015 Oregon wildfires were an ongoing series of wildfires affecting parts of the U.S. state of Oregon.
The August fire was reported on August 22, 2015, 10 miles (16 km) east of Banks. It was fully contained by August 24. It was suspected to be human-caused. One firefighter was injured. Three aircraft were used, taking water from Henry Hagg Lake, which led to its closure for recreational purposes. An estimated 26 acres (11 ha) were part of the burn, and 60 firefighters were needed. Highway 26 was closed for several days.[2][3]
The Cornet-Windy Ridge fire has burned more than 103,800 acres (42,000 ha) on public forest and private lands a few miles west of Durkee. As of August 23, 2015, the fire was 80 percent contained.[4]
The Eldorado fire, which was caused by lightning, has burned more than 20,600 acres (8,300 ha) of land 5 miles (8.0 km) southeast of Unity. As of August 23, 2015, the fire was 65 percent contained.[4]
The human-caused Stouts fire has burned 26,000 acres 16 miles (26 km) east of Canvyonville, just south of Milo. As of August 23, 2015, the wildfire was 83 percent contained.[4]
The Willamina Creek fire, occurring 9 miles (14 km) north of Willamina, has burned 230 acres (93 ha) in "heavy fuels on high-value timberland owned by the Bureau of Land Management and private industrial forestland owners". As of August 23, 2015, the fire was 20 percent contained.[4]
Wildfire smoke from Washington and Oregon was blown west over western Oregon, including Portland and the rest of the Willamette Valley, on August 22–23, 2015.[5][6]