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The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
The largest wildfire in the US this year looks set to become a ‘megafire' after covering nearly 100,000 acres
A huge wildfire burning in Oregon could swell to become a 'megafire' after spreading over more than 95,000 acres. The Cram Fire, which is ablaze in the Treasure Valley near the city of Madras, is the largest wildfire to burn in the U.S. this year, and fire crews are continuing to tackle it more than a week on. The fire broke out July 13 and tore through central Oregon, prompting evacuations, threatening hundreds of buildings and destroying at least four homes, USA Today reports. Flames first ignited near Willowdale – a remote neighborhood in Jefferson County situated 133 miles southeast of Portland – and charred grasslands in the region, fire officials said. The cause of the blaze is unknown and remains under investigation, officials said. However, if the blaze grows to at least 100,000 acres, it would be classified as 'a megafire' – the first to strike in the U.S. this year, said National Interagency Fire Center spokesman Stanton Florea to NBC News. Megafires were once considered a rare phenomenon, but in recent years, they have become increasingly common and are lasting longer. They are broadly defined by their size - 100,000 acres or more - though some experts say they must also have an unusually large impact on people and the environment. Over the last four decades, the average number of acres of forested land affected by wildfire annually in the U.S. has increased by 1,000 percent, says the National Geographic Society. Scientists have attributed the surge and frequency of wildfires to climate change. On Sunday night, fire officials said: 'Firefighters remain vigilant on the north end of the fire, continuing to monitor for any remaining heat. On the south end, crews are working to secure and connect fire lines in preparation for potential gusty winds from an approaching cold front.' They advised that any smoke north of the city of Madras was coming from other fires in the region. Roughly 35 miles from the Cram Fire, the Greely Heights fire burns across nearly 400 acres, while 25 miles north, just west of Simnasho in Wasco County, the Butte Creek Fire burns across 2,000 acres. On Sunday, the Warm Springs Police Department said that evacuation levels around the Butte Creek Fire had been downgraded to 'Level 1 – Be ready' in the Schoolie Flats Zone and the Island Zone. A 'Level 1' warning alerts residents that there is no immediate danger, but conditions could change. Officials continue to advise people to remain aware and monitor official information sources. Residents should prepare a plan and supplies. In California, where wildfires raged through Los Angeles County in January, senators are growing increasingly concerned over President Trump's federal staffing cuts at the National Weather Service.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
US faces first megafire risk of 2025: Oregon wildfire burns over 95,000 acres; more than 900 firefighters work on containment
Wildfire spread (Image from last week posted by Oregon State Fire Marshal on Facebook) US' biggest wildfire of the year has consumed over 95,740 acres, according to central Oregon fire authorities on Sunday, with ground teams achieving partial containment of the blaze, which still has potential to expand into a megafire. Officials, quoted by NBC News, revised the Cram Fire's size slightly lower from Saturday after completing more precise mapping. The extensive fire, which has involved more than 900 firefighting personnel, destroyed several homes and led to evacuations across two counties, is now 49% contained following last week's challenging containment efforts. "Yesterday was another favorable day with us with the weather, and so a lot of good work was done," Scott Stutzman, operations section chief of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, said Sunday in a Facebook video. "We'll have those crews out there continuing to maintain a presence mopping up, and also assisting our wildland partners on the perimeter." The weekend's lower temperatures and increased humidity are forecast to persist into early week, potentially supporting firefighting operations. The fire's extent remains significant: reaching 100,000 acres would classify it as a megafire, marking the first in the USA for 2025, according to Stanton Florea, spokesman for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, which oversees national wildland firefighting operations. Federal data indicates Oregon experienced six megafires last year. This occurrence, while previously uncommon, has increased in frequency alongside the general expansion and intensification of wildfires. According to Florea, megafires are increasingly frequent, with extended fire seasons - now termed 'fire year' - and more intense, longer-lasting fires. This year has witnessed 40,934 wildfires, the highest count in at least ten years, according to National Interagency Fire Center statistics. A 2023 Congressional Research Service report noted that of 1.6 million wildfires since 2000, only 254 exceeded 100,000 acres, with merely 16 reaching 500,000 acres. "A small fraction of wildfires become catastrophic, and a small percentage of fires accounts for the vast majority of acres burned," the service said, according to NBC. "For example, about 1% of wildfires become conflagrations — raging, destructive fires — but predicting which fires will 'blow up' into conflagrations is challenging and depends on a multitude of factors, such as weather and geography. " Recent studies suggest human-induced global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather conditions, including extended drought and strong winds. This enables wildfires to ignite unexpectedly and rapidly increase in intensity. The Cram Fire, causing evacuations in Jefferson and Wasco counties, began a week ago, expanding rapidly amid extremely hot, dry and windy western conditions. The cause remains uncertain. While 88 engines and eight helicopters remain deployed to contain the Cram Fire, Sunday's announcement from the Oregon State Fire Marshal indicated plans to adjust their response as containment improves. The fire has destroyed four homes and two additional structures. Officials report reduced threat to residential areas.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Cram Fire in Oregon, the nation's largest blaze in 2025, nears megafire status
The Cram Fire in central Oregon became the nation's largest wildfire this year as the blaze neared 100,000 acres on July 20, destroying four homes and threatening hundreds of structures, authorities said. The fire, which broke out on July 13, exploded in size over recent days after hot and dry conditions and gusty winds increased wildfire risks in parts of the state. Fire crews were challenged during the week by changing wind directions and rugged, steep terrain, but cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels over the weekend are expected to help firefighting efforts. By 9 a.m. local time on July 20, the fire had expanded to 95,748 acres and was 49% contained, according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. The size of the fire was "slightly reduced" from July 19 after "more accurate mapping" was completed, officials said on the fire's information page. "Crews are building on the progress made yesterday and overnight," according to a July 20 update on the fire's information page. "Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are creating better conditions for mop-up work, especially along the fire perimeter and around structures." The fire ignited near Willowdale, a sparsely populated area about 133 miles southeast of Portland, and swept through grasslands and rangeland in the region, fire officials said. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Local authorities in Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook counties have issued evacuation orders or warnings across multiple zones. A total of four residences and two other structures were destroyed in the fire, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The Cram Fire is one of at least 46 active wildfires, most of which have been contained, in Oregon, according to the state's fires and hotspots dashboard. The fire also leads the list of wildfire incidents in 2025, followed by the Madre Fire in central California that has burned nearly 81,000 acres, according to InciWeb, a federal government wildfire tracker. Arizona wildfire: The Grand Canyon fire exploded in size, catching officials off guard. Why? Cram Fire nears megafire status as officials warn of worsening wildfire conditions The Cram Fire has grown increasingly close to becoming Oregon's first megafire of the season. A megafire is defined by the National Interagency Fire Center as a wildfire that burns more than 100,000 acres of land. Fire officials said more than 900 personnel were responding to the blaze in addition to 88 fire engines, 18 handcrews, and eight helicopters. The Central Oregon Fire Information noted on July 20 that while fire behavior has moderated, crews continued to focus on gridding near the fire's perimeter and reducing materials that have the potential of fueling spot fires. "Yesterday was another favorable day with us with the weather, and so a lot of good work was done," Scott Stutzman, operations section chief of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, said in a video update on July 20. "We'll have those crews out there continuing to maintain a presence mopping up, and also assisting our wildland partners on the perimeter." On July 16, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency that will last through the end of the year "due to the imminent threat of wildfire." Multiple large wildfires have already exploded in 2025, largely east of the Cascade Range, according to the Salem Statesman Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Oregon's wildfire danger is forecast to remain above normal through summer, the Salem Statesman Journal reported. "Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences," Kotek said in a news release. "The summer is only getting hotter, drier, and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions." See maps: Which cities are experiencing poor air quality from wildfires? 'Fire activity is high across the country' The National Interagency Fire Center warned on July 20 that "fire activity is high across the country," adding that there are 91 large, uncontained wildfires. "Nearly 18,000 wildland firefighters and support personnel are on the ground nationwide," the center said in an update. "In 2025 thus far, there have been 40,934 total wildfires, for a combined acreage of 2,850,245." Hot, dry, and windy weather continues to fuel wildfire conditions across parts of the Northwest, Great Basin, and Southwest, according to the center. The center added that some areas were forecast to see wind gusts over 40 mph and low humidity levels "dropping into the single digits." The center noted that each year, thousands of wildfires in the United States are caused by people. "Major causes of these fires include loss of control of debris burning, unattended or unextinguished campfires, and sparks or heat transfer from vehicles and equipment like chainsaws or recreational vehicles," the center said. Contributing: Zach Urness and Rose Shimberg, Salem Statesman Journal
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Containment efforts gaining ground in multiple Colorado wildfires
Colorado firefighters have continued making progress as they battle several large wildfires burning across the western part of the state. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, seven uncontrolled fires are burning in Colorado. Multiple organizations provided updates on each fire's progress on Sunday. Deer Creek Fire This fire started in Utah on July 10 and has grown to include part of Montrose County as well. The fire has burned 16,340 acres in Utah and Colorado so far and is approximately 22% contained. Officials said that, in Colorado, a small firing operation took place recently along the northern edge of the fire. They also said crews have secured the southeastern portion of the fire and will continue working in the area near the state border throughout the day on Sunday. Turner Gulch Fire This wildfire has burned 15,413 acres in Mesa County since it began. Since then, firefighters have reached around 34% containment, primarily along the north/northwest border. Firefighters are planning to tackle the eastern edge directly as containment efforts continue. Officials said they've made good progress with a firing operation to the south. Wright Draw Fire Nearby, the Wright Draw Fire remains at 0% containment and has burned 448 acres, but officials expect to make significant progress on Sunday. Firefighters have reportedly made progress creating a containment line along the western side of the wildfire and bulldozing a line above the northern border. Sowbelly Fire Also burning in Mesa County is the Sowbelly Fire. Firefighters have made significant progress since the fire began and have reached approximately 66% containment. The fire has burned 2,274 acres and is reportedly creeping and smoldering. Crews have continued to mop up and access deeper areas looking for hotspots. South Rim Fire The South Rim Fire in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has burned 4,252 acres thus far. Fire crews said they've made progress removing areas of heat on the west and southwest sides of the fire and are working to remove vegetation near the access road and utility poles. The fire is currently 21% contained, with most of the fire activity in the northwest and southeast areas. Ute 63 Fire Between the Ute Mountain Reservation and the Southern Ute Reservation, the Ute 63 fire has burned 550 acres of tribal and private land. The brush fire is at approximately 8% containment, and crews are working to prevent it from spreading toward Highway 140. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the fire is a threat to some residences in the area. Cottonwood Flat Fire Approximately 310 acres have burned in the Cottonwood Flat fire northeast of Parachute. As of Sunday morning, the fire is 35% contained. The NIFC said the fire is showing "minimal fire behavior with creeping, isolated torching and smoldering." The Garfield County Sheriff's Office said the size of the fire held steady throughout Saturday and that County Road 309 will remain closed for now.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Oregon wildfire burns almost 100K acres, approaching rare megafire status
The country's largest wildfire this year has burned over 95,740 acres, fire officials in central Oregon said Sunday, as ground crews made progress to partially contain a blaze that could still intensify to become a so-called megafire. The size of the Cram Fire was adjusted slightly downward from Saturday after "more accurate mapping" was completed, officials said. They added that the massive blaze — which has drawn more than 900 fire personnel, destroyed a handful of homes and prompted evacuations in two counties — was 49% contained after crews struggled to keep back the flames last week. "Yesterday was another favorable day with us with the weather, and so a lot of good work was done," Scott Stutzman, operations section chief of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, said Sunday in a Facebook video. "We'll have those crews out there continuing to maintain a presence mopping up, and also assisting our wildland partners on the perimeter." Cooler temperatures and higher humidity over the weekend are expected to continue early this week, potentially aiding firefighting efforts, but the sheer size of the fire has been staggering: If it grows to at least 100,000 acres, it would be classified as a megafire, becoming the first one in the U.S. in 2025, said Stanton Florea, a spokesman with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, which coordinates the country's wildland firefighting operations. Oregon saw six wildfires reach megafire status last year, federal data shows. The phenomenon is considered rare, but it has grown in frequency as wildfires in general become more widespread and intense. Megafires "are more common now," Florea said. "We're having longer fire seasons — what we're calling, the 'fire year.' And more intense fires that are lasting longer." So far this year, there have been 40,934 wildfires, the highest year-to-date total in at least a decade, according to National Interagency Fire Center data. But of the 1.6 million wildfires that have occurred since 2000, just 254 exceeded 100,000 acres burned, and only 16 were at least 500,000 acres, a Congressional Research Service report said in 2023. "A small fraction of wildfires become catastrophic, and a small percentage of fires accounts for the vast majority of acres burned," the service said. "For example, about 1% of wildfires become conflagrations — raging, destructive fires — but predicting which fires will 'blow up' into conflagrations is challenging and depends on a multitude of factors, such as weather and geography." The higher chance of extreme weather conditions, such as prolonged drought and strong winds, is being fueled by human-caused global warming, recent reports indicate. That means wildfires may not only ignite suddenly, but also strengthen in magnitude at a furious pace. The Cram Fire, which led to evacuations in parts of Jefferson and Wasco counties, began a week ago, exploding amid extremely hot, dry and windy conditions in the West. The cause remains under investigation. Florea said the Pacific Northwest is the highest-priority area in the country at the moment, with the country's wildland firefighting resources being directed there, including to help battle at least nine large fires burning in Oregon. Such heavy demand means officials must prioritize how resources are used. An increase in the number of wildfires strains the system and the fatigued crews who work around-the-clock shifts, Florea added. While 88 engines and eight helicopters continue to be deployed to prevent the Cram Fire from spreading, the Oregon State Fire Marshal said Sunday it would begin modifying its response as containment improves. At least four homes and two other structures have been destroyed so far. The fire is no longer threatening residences to the same degree, officials said. Kyle Butler, whose home in rural Jefferson County was nearly burned in the blaze, said one neighbor fled the flames with her life, but returned to find her home severely damaged. "Everything's gone," Butler told NBC affiliate KGW in Portland. "Her house is pretty much in shambles." This article was originally published on
