“We’re really worried about the next 72 hours,” said Travis Medema, chief deputy fire marshal. Brown and emergency officials warned Oregonians to prepare to evacuate or lose power as more than 168,000 acres are already burning in the state and emergency power outages are expected to affect more than 40,000 households starting Friday. The shutdowns would help prevent fires caused by damaged power lines. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Portland from midnight Thursday until 11:00 p.m. Saturday night due to hot temperatures, strong winds and low humidity. Winds are expected to reach up to 45 mph Friday morning in some areas, with temperatures topping 90 degrees. “Go to bed tonight with a plan in case your family needs to evacuate or you wake up without power,” Brown said. “If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately.” Those most at risk of power outages or fire evacuation should charge their devices and prepare bags and supplies, said Andrew Phelps, director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. “Preparation time is over,” Phelps said. “Now is the time to act.” While not everyone is in immediate fire danger, strong winds could blow smoke over the state and could affect people with underlying health conditions. If air quality worsens, people should stay indoors as much as possible, Phelps said. Seven fires are burning in the state, including the recent Van Meter Fire in Klamath Falls near Stukel Mountain, which has burned up to 3,500 acres since Wednesday. Northeast Oregon is at increased risk, with several areas battling wildfires. The Double Creek Fire is now over 100,000 acres and poses a threat to the Imnaha and Snake River drainages, according to Forest Fire Chief Mike Shaw. The Sturgill fire, also in northeastern Oregon, has reached 17,000 acres. More than 100 homes are under some level of evacuation in both fires, according to Deputy State Fire Marshal Travis Shaw. Brown has invoked the Fire Emergency Act for both the Double Creek and Sturgill fires, which authorizes the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local fire departments. Officials are closely monitoring the Cedar Creek fire in the Willamette National Forest near Oakridge, Shaw said. Firefighters have had some success with the Rum Creek fire in southern Oregon, and the state has been able to move some of those firefighters to other wildfires, Shaw said. The Oregon Department of Forestry has placed restrictions on state-protected lands in northwestern Oregon due to fire danger. The restrictions begin Friday and will close off-highway vehicle paths, prohibit fires and close some forest roads. A mandatory burn ban was issued in Multnomah County on Thursday. This includes recreational fires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning, and permits issued for outdoor burning. The county is warning people to be careful when cooking outside. Power outages and high temperatures can make it difficult to stay indoors. To prepare for that, Brown asked that generator-powered cooling shelters be open where available, she said. Multnomah County is opening two resource centers with charging stations, ice, water and information at Corbett Fire Station and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Station 72. They will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday if there is no electricity restored. FIRE MAP: The Oregonian/OregonLive’s wildfire map helps you track wildfire activity across the state and the Northwest. Find it here. – Austin Of God? [email protected]; @austindedios? (503) 319-9744 Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
