2020 Oregon wildfires explained

2020 Oregon wildfires
Total Area:1221324acres[1]
Total Fires:2,027
Fatalities:11
Buildings:3,000+
Is Season:yes
Year:2020
Season Name:Oregon wildfires

The 2020 Oregon wildfire season was the most destructive on record in the state of Oregon. The season is a part of the 2020 Western United States wildfire season. The fires killed at least 11 people, burned more than 1000000acres of land, and destroyed thousands of homes.[2]

Timeline

The Oregon Department of Forestry declared fire season beginning on July 5, 2020, signaling the end of unregulated debris burning outdoors.[3] In early September, unusually high winds and continued dry weather caused the rapid expansion of multiple wildfires in Oregon. Over 1,000,000 acres were burned, and about 40,000 people were evacuated, with about 500,000 people in evacuation warning areas. The cities of Phoenix, Talent, Detroit, and Gates in Oregon were substantially destroyed by the Almeda Drive and Santiam Fires respectively. State-wide, at least 7 people have been killed.[4] [5] [6] In the Almeda Fire area — between Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix — more than 2,800 structures were destroyed. Around the South Obenchain Fire, which stretched from Shady Cove nearly to Butte Falls, 153 structures were lost. Sheriff Sickler said that these numbers do not differentiate between homes, businesses, outbuildings, and other structures. Assessing the precise nature of those structures lost would fall to local teams in the days and weeks ahead.[7] [8] Officials stated that the Almeda Drive Fire was human-caused. On September 11, a man was arrested for arson, for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed multiple homes in Phoenix and merged with the Almeda Drive Fire.[9] A separate criminal investigation into the origin point of the Almeda Drive Fire in Ashland was ongoing as of September 2020.

Causes

Through the end of July 2020, 90% of Oregon's wildfires had been caused by humans versus a yearly average of 70%, possibly because of increased outdoor recreation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

Rumors and theories

Rumors spread on social media that antifa activists were deliberately setting fires and preparing to loot property that was being evacuated. Some residents refused to evacuate based on the rumors, choosing to defend their homes from the alleged invasion. Authorities pleaded with residents to ignore the rumors.[11] One Facebook post shared thousands of times falsely stated, "KXL Radio in Portland reported today that Firefighters are now being shot at by suspected Antifa and BLM members."[12] QAnon followers participated in the misinformation, with one false claim that six antifa activists had been arrested for setting fires amplified by Q specifically.[13] [14] There were also rumors that members of far-right groups had started some of the fires, though authorities labeled the claims as false, saying that people needed to question claims that they found on social media.[15]

Senator Jeff Merkley, (D-OR) decried President Donald Trump's comments blaming forest management for the fires as a "devastating lie.” Speaking on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Merkley blamed climate change for the fires.[16]

One of the major fires, the Almeda fire in Southern Oregon, was worsened by a second blaze that was allegedly the result of arson. The first origin point of the fire was still under active investigation as of late 2020, and arson was suspected there, as well.[17] [18]

Several small brush fires in Portland that were quickly put out were also the result of arson by a suspect who was apprehended, released, and then started several more.[19]

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres, or produced significant structural damage or loss of life.

NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
Neals HillHarney3,391Caused by lightning.[20] [21]
FrogCrook4,020Caused by lightning.[22]
Green RidgeJefferson4,338Caused by lightning.[23]
Indian CreekMalheur48,128Human-caused.[24]
P-515Jefferson4,607Caused by lightning; merged into the eastern portion of the combined Santiam Fire on September 11.[25]
LionsheadJefferson, Linn, Marion, Wasco204,469Caused by lightning; merged with the Beachie Creek Fire on September 8; the combined fires were briefly renamed Santiam Fire, 280 structures destroyed, 10 injuries.[26] [27] [28]
Beachie CreekClackamas, Linn, Marion193,573Unknown cause; merged with the Lionshead Fire on September 8, which were briefly named the Santiam Fire; 1,323 structures destroyed, 10 injuries, 5 fatalities.[29] [30] [31]
White RiverWasco17,442Caused by lightning, 1 structure destroyed, 2 injuries, 1 firefighter fatality.[32] [33]
LaurelWheeler1,257Caused by lightning.[34]
Holiday FarmLane, Linn173,393Unknown cause, 768 structures destroyed, 6 injuries, 1 fatality.[35] [36] [37]
BrattainLake50,951Human-caused, 1 structure destroyed.[38] [39]
Two Four TwoKlamath14,473Unknown cause, 48 structures destroyed.[40]
Echo Mountain ComplexLincoln2,552Unknown cause, 293 structures destroyed.[41] [42]
SlaterJosephine157,220November 12Originally started in California then spread to Josephine County.[43] [44]
Chehalem Mountain–Bald PeakWashington2,000Caused by campfire on private property.[45] [46] [47] [48] [49] [50]
RiversideClackamas138,054Human-caused, 139 structures destroyed, 4 injuries.[51]
ThielsenDouglas9,975Unknown cause, 4 injuries.[52]
Almeda DriveJackson3,200Human-caused, suspected arson, 3,000+ structures destroyed, body found near origin of the fire, active crime scene investigation, 3 fatalities.[53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58]
South ObenchainJackson32,671Unknown cause, 89 structures destroyed.[59] [60]
Archie CreekDouglas131,542Unknown cause, 111 structures destroyed, 10 injuries, 1 firefighter fatality.[61] [62] [63]
Leslie GulchMalheur5,147Human-caused.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: October 19, 2020. Final ODF fire report for 2020 fire season. October 21, 2020. October 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025013059/https://odfwildfire.wpengine.com/2020/10/19/final-odf-fire-report-for-2020-fire-season/. dead.
  2. Web site: Newburger. Emma. 2020-09-12. At least 33 dead as wildfires scorch millions of acres across Western U.S. — 'It is apocalyptic'. 2020-09-22. CNBC. en.
  3. Web site: Oregon fire season opens statewide. 2020-08-03. Herald and News. July 5, 2020 . en.
  4. News: Crombie . Noelle . Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent 'pretty well devastated' . 11 September 2020 . The Oregonian . 9 September 2020 . en.
  5. News: Hauck . Grace . 'We have never seen this': 10% of Oregon forced to evacuate; death toll rises from wildfires across Western states . 11 September 2020 . USA TODAY . September 11, 2020.
  6. Web site: Oregon initially said 500,000 people had been evacuated because of wildfires. The numbers didn't add up -- and the state backtracked. . Brad Schmidt . oregonlive . 11 September 2020 . 11 September 2020 . The number of Oregonians told to evacuate because of unprecedented wildfires is more than 40,000 – not the 500,000 residents initially and erroneously announced by Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management, Gov. Kate Brown acknowledged Friday following publication of an analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive showing the true number of evacuations to be far lower. .
  7. Web site: Sheriff: Structures lost between Almeda and Obenchain fires number nearly 3,000. KDRV News. October 18, 2020. October 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028000304/https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Sheriff-Structures-lost-between-Almeda-and-Obenchain-fires-nearly-3000-572456391.html. dead.
  8. Benda, David. "Southern Oregon wildfires update: 700-plus homes, businesses destroyed as officials' investigate fire's cause", Redding Record Searchlight. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  9. Deliso, Merideth. "Man charged with arson in connection with Almeda Fire in southern Oregon", ABC News. September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  10. Web site: Oregon's human-caused wildfires are increasing and COVID-19 is getting the blame. Oregon Public Broadcasting. 2020-08-03. Monica. Samayoa. 2020-09-09.
  11. News: In Oregon, a Year of Political Tumult Extends to Devastating Wildfires. Jack. Healy. Mike. Baker. September 11, 2020. NYTimes.com.
  12. Web site: PolitiFact - Fact-checking misinformation about firefighters, antifa in Portland. @politifact.
  13. Web site: O'Sullivan. Donie. Toropin. Konstantin. QAnon fans spread fake claims about real fires in Oregon. CNN. September 11, 2020 .
  14. Web site: West Coast officials are already fighting wildfires. Now they're fighting misinformation, too.. NBC News. September 11, 2020 .
  15. Web site: Wildfires spawn false rumors blaming far right, far left for setting them. Los Angeles Times. September 11, 2020. September 13, 2020.
  16. Web site: Coleman . Justine . Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' . TheHill . September 13, 2020 . en . 13 September 2020.
  17. News: Suspect Is Charged With Arson in Oregon Wildfire. September 16, 2020. October 18, 2020. NYTimes.com.
  18. Web site: Man arrested, charged with arson in connection with southern Oregon fire. Jayati. Ramakrishnan . September 11, 2020. oregonlive. October 18, 2020.
  19. Web site: Suspect Starts Six More Brush Fires, Faces Additional Charges (Photo). Portland Police Public Information. Office. www.portlandoregon.gov. October 18, 2020.
  20. Web site: Neals Hill Information . . 10 September 2020 . 20 August 2020.
  21. Web site: The Oregon Wildfire Season Is Heating Up.. Tim. Chuey. August 10, 2020. August 10, 2020. August 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210831222406/https://eugenedailynews.com/2020/08/the-oregon-wildfire-season-is-heating-up/. dead.
  22. Web site: Frog Fire Information . . 10 September 2020 . 1 September 2020.
  23. Web site: Green Ridge Information . . 10 September 2020 . 1 September 2020.
  24. Web site: Indian Creek Fire Information . Malheur Enterprise . 22 December 2022 . 10 September 2020.
  25. Web site: P-515 Information . Inciweb . 10 September 2020 . 10 September 2020.
  26. Web site: August 16, 2020. Lionshead Information. InciWeb. September 9, 2020.
  27. Web site: Oregon fires near 900,000 acres; Riverside, Beachie Creek expected to merge. Barney Lerten. KTVZ. September 10, 2020. September 11, 2020.
  28. Web site: Map: Two big Oregon fires merge, and a third is close. The Mercury News. September 12, 2020. September 12, 2020.
  29. Web site: September 11, 2020. 4 dead, 10 missing in Beachie Creek Fire. KOIN. October 1, 2020.
  30. Web site: September 26, 2020. Oregon environmentalist George Atiyeh confirmed dead in Beachie Creek Fire, family says. CNN. October 1, 2020.
  31. Web site: August 16, 2020. Beachie Creek Fire Information. InciWeb. September 9, 2020.
  32. Web site: August 25, 2020. Firefighting helicopter pilot dies in White River Fire crash. KOIN. October 1, 2020.
  33. Web site: August 17, 2020. White River Information. InciWeb. September 9, 2020.
  34. Web site: Laurel Fire Information. Inciweb. 10 September 2020. 26 August 2020.
  35. Web site: September 21, 2020. Oregon man killed in Holiday Farm fire identified as Vida plumber, 59. OregonLive. October 1, 2020.
  36. Web site: September 14, 2020. Holiday Farm Fire Information. InciWeb. September 13, 2020.
  37. Web site: September 12, 2020. Holiday Farm Fire Update September 12. InciWeb. September 13, 2020.
  38. Web site: Brattain Fire Information . Inciweb . 12 September 2020 . 9 September 2020.
  39. Web site: October 8, 2020. State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard. October 8, 2020.
  40. Web site: Two Four Two Information . Inciweb . 10 September 2020 . 9 September 2020.
  41. Web site: Echo Mountain Complex Fire Information. Inciweb. 17 September 2020. 17 September 2020.
  42. Web site: September 25, 2020. People searching for answers, housing in aftermath of Echo Mountain Complex Fire near the Oregon coast. KPTV. October 3, 2020.
  43. Web site: Slater / Devil Fires Information. inciweb.nwcg.gov. InciWeb. October 27, 2020. October 27, 2020.
  44. News: Katie Streit. KOBI. September 10, 2020. September 10, 2020. Second person dies in Slater Fire.
  45. Web site: September 9, 2020. Washington County fires have burned up to 2,000 acres. The Oregonian. September 10, 2020.
  46. Web site: Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak Fire grows to 2,000 acres, 50 percent contained . . September 9, 2020 . September 10, 2020.
  47. Web site: Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak is 70% contained . Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue. September 11, 2020 . September 11, 2020.
  48. Mark Miller, "Most evacuees can return as Chehalem Mountain Fire 75% contained" Portland Tribune website (last accessed 14 September 2020
  49. https://katu.com/news/local/chehalem-mountain-bald-peak-fire-100-contained-level-3-go-orders-lifted "Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak Fire 100% contained, Level 3 'GO' orders lifted"
  50. Cassidy Quinn, “Chehalem Mountain-Bald Peak Fire in Washington County Caused by Campfire on Private Property." KGW News. September 15, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  51. Web site: September 9, 2020. Riverside Fire Information. InciWeb. September 9, 2020.
  52. Web site: October 10, 2020. Thielsen Fire Information. InciWeb. October 24, 2020.
  53. Web site: September 14, 2020. Sheriff: Almeda Fire Death Toll Drops to Three; Evacuation Levels being Reduced. KDRV. October 1, 2020. October 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201001004846/https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Sheriff-Almeda-Fire-death-toll-drops-to-three-evacuation-levels-being-reduced-572410081.html. dead.
  54. Web site: Erik. Neumann. Liam. Moriarty. The Almeda Drive Fire Causes Extensive Damage To Talent and Phoenix. Jefferson Public Radio. 10 September 2020.
  55. News: Noelle. Crombie. Wildfire cuts swath of destruction in southern Oregon; Phoenix and Talent 'pretty well devastated'. OregonLive.com. 10 September 2020.
  56. Web site: Almeda fire 100% contained, officials say Tuesday. The Oregonian/OregonLive.com. September 15, 2020. oregonlive. October 18, 2020.
  57. News: Patrick O'Connor. Erin. October 20, 2020. 12 hours inside Oregon's Almeda Fire. The Washington Post. October 29, 2020.
  58. Web site: Sheriff: One confirmed death from Almeda Fire, more likely. 2021-03-29. KDRV News. en. April 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210401194755/https://www.kdrv.com/content/news/Sheriff-One-confirmed-death-from-Almeda-Fire-more-likely-572364341.html. dead.
  59. Web site: October 6, 2020. State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard. October 6, 2020.
  60. Web site: October 3, 2020. This will be the final release from Northeast WA IMT 2. It has been an honor to serve your wonderful community, and we wish each one of you a safe recovery.. . October 21, 2020.
  61. Web site: September 23, 2020. Off duty firefighter dies on Archie Creek Fire in Oregon. Wildfire Today. October 1, 2020.
  62. Oregon Office of Emergency Management, "Real-time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon (RAPTOR)", (last accessed 10 September 2020)
  63. InciWeb, "Archie Creek Fire Information"

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