A new blaze in north-central Oregon nearly tripled in size overnight. The fire near the town of Dufur, about two hours southeast of Portland, spread to more than 23 square miles early Thursday.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office said dozens of structures were threatened — some have burned — and at least 400 people have been told to evacuate.
The fire, caused by humans rather than lightning, began Wednesday afternoon. By nightfall, Gov. Kate Brown declared it a conflagration, which authorizes the fire marshal to mobilize statewide resources.
CBS affiliate KOIN reports that firefighters and farmers have worked together to help protect each other's properties. Jeremy Gast worked alongside firefighters to safeguard his historic barn.
He said he fought with fear as the blaze, the South Valley Fire, surrounded his property south of Dufur. After hours of efforts to combat the blaze, he put out the last hot spot next to his barn, which was built in 1907.
"They were spraying the roof of the barn the whole time knowing that embers were landing on it and could fall through the cracks and burn down history," Gast told the station.
Wildfires are also continuing to burn across California.
One massive blaze in the northern part of the state that has killed six people grew overnight, fueled by wind, according to fire officials. The fire burning for 11 days in and around the city of Redding is now 200 square miles. It is the sixth most destructive wildfire in California history and is threatening another 1,600 homes.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday that firefighters made some gains and the blaze is now a third contained.
Gov. Jerry Brown painted a grim picture Wednesday of California’s future as thousands of firefighters have flown in from across the country to battle the 16 wildfires raging through the state.
Five of the 10 most destructive wildfires in California history have occurred in just the past five years, and the Carr Fire, currently burning in and around Redding, stands as the sixth most destructive wildfire in state history, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
By the time it’s contained, the inferno could crack the top five of California’s worst fire disasters.
“We are in uncharted territories,” Brown said at a news conference. “We are in for a really rough ride. It’s going to get expensive, it’s going to get dangerous.”
Three of the state’s 10 most destructive wildfires occurred in 2017 alone: the Tubbs Fire and Nuns Fire, both of which were in Sonoma County, and the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
The Tubbs Fire — the most destructive blaze in California history — broke out in October and burned 36,807 acres, destroyed 5,636 structures and killed 24 people.
More than 320,000 acres across the state have burned since early July and 32,000 residents remain evacuated due to blazes up and down the state, said Ken Pimlott, the director of Cal Fire.
As a shortage of personnel plagues California, several thousand firefighters from 17 states, including as far as Maine and Florida, have been called in to assist in saving lives and property.
The total number of firefighters battling the blazes is 13,000, Pimlott said.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on destructive wildfires in California and the U.S. West (all times local):
Forecasters say the threat of major fires will remain high across much of California and the northwestern corner of the U.S. throughout August and September.
The National Interagency Fire Center's monthly outlook released Wednesday says lightning, drought and an abundance of dry trees and vegetation combined to produce above-normal chances for major wildfires in the region.
In October, conditions are expected to return to normal in much of the Northwest, but the danger will remain high in most of California and in central Montana.
Forecasters say much of central and eastern Texas also faces high fire danger in August.
Authorities in Northern California say all people reported missing in a massive wildfire have been located.
Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said officials received 60 reports of missing people and that all had been located by Wednesday.
The blaze near the city of Redding, California has destroyed more than 1,000 homes and killed two firefighters and four civilians.
California fire officials say the wildfire burning near Redding for 10 days has scorched 180 square miles (470 square kilometers).
Fire crew have gained some ground and increased containment to 35 percent.
The U.S. National Interagency Fire Center said Wednesday it requested the help because its resources are stretched thin.
The two countries are sending supervisors, safety officers, heavy equipment and helicopter managers, helicopter crew members and structure protection specialists.
They're expected to arrive at the interagency fire center in Boise, Idaho, late this week and then be deployed after a one-day orientation.
This is the seventh season since 2000 that Australia and New Zealand have sent firefighters to the United States. The U.S. sent firefighters to Australia in 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
A disaster relief organization says it's preparing to send respiratory masks, hygiene kits and other first aid supplies to help thousands of people displaced by a massive wildfire in Northern California.
Americares said Wednesday it is working with a local health center in Redding, California, where 38,000 residents were displaced by the blaze. Thousands have been allowed to return home, but the hardest-hit areas in impoverished Lake County remain out of reach.
Americares says the shipment will help families to protect their health.
Red Cross spokesman Stephen Walsh says the organization has five shelters opened, though he says some people are starting to return home.
The wildfire burning and polluting the air since July 23 has destroyed more than 1,000 homes. It was 34 percent contained Wednesday.
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