Growing Wildfires In Oregon, California Prompt Mandatory Evacuations

Wildfires in Oregon and California are threatening homes and prompting evacuations as firefighters battle the blazes amid hot, dry conditions. In California, the Pickett Fire in Napa County has burned over 6,800 acres and is only 13% contained. About 150 people have been ordered to evacuate, with another 360 under evacuation warnings. The fire threatens 500 structures near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley.

In Oregon, the Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties has grown to nearly 22,000 acres, with 4,000 homes under various evacuation notices. The fire has already destroyed four homes and six other structures.

Firefighters face challenging conditions, including difficult terrain, low humidity, and triple-digit temperatures. Isolated thunderstorms could further complicate efforts by causing the fires to jump containment lines.

Both fires began on Thursday and have been fueled by dry vegetation and hot weather. The Pickett Fire started in the same area as the 2020 Glass Fire, which burned 105 square miles. The current fires are part of a larger pattern of increasing wildfire threats in the western United States, exacerbated by climate change and prolonged heatwaves.

Residents are urged to stay informed about evacuation notices and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. A community meeting regarding the Flat Fire will be held at Sisters High School in Oregon, and a Red Cross shelter has been set up in Redmond.