Firefighters battling the Oregon Flat Fire, which has burned nearly 22,000 acres, may face difficulties if the current weather conditions change, officials warned Monday.
The raging blaze, which is only 5% contained, has devastated houses and structures. Thousands of families have had to leave.
“The winds here can shift at any moment, and that could change everything,” Jason Carr, public information officer with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, told Fox News Digital.
Approximately 4,000 homes are still under evacuation orders, with 1,000 families instructed to “go now.”
Officials have subsequently identified 827 structures that remain at risk within the fire’s vast perimeter. Carr said personnel were cautiously optimistic Monday afternoon after constructing fresh containment lines in southern Oregon.
“The weather has cooperated, in the sense that we had a small disturbance come through which provided some cloud cover and raised the humidity levels,” he said.
“That has helped tamp down fire activity, but that could change at any moment if the winds shift or the sun comes back out,” he said.
Despite moderate progress, officials underlined the fire’s unpredictability. Spot fires are a persistent concern, starting when embers jump established fire lines.
“They can create spot fires and smaller fires outside the perimeter that crews then have to attack,” Carr explained.
Governor Tina Kotek triggered the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday, allowing for more state resources. As of Sunday evening, fire officials confirmed that there were no new evacuation orders, indicating that the fire had not spread to neighboring neighborhoods. While containment is still limited, authorities noted that hundreds of homes had been spared due to aggressive firefighting and neighbors’ proactive reduction measures.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of homes and personal property. We are also encouraged that hundreds of homes have been protected thanks to aggressive firefighting efforts,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert.
Residents are subject to evacuation levels 1 (Be Ready), 2 (Be Set), and 3 (Go Now).
A Red Cross shelter is also open in Redmond, and large animals are housed at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
With hot, dry weather expected to return, officials said the coming days will be vital.
“We’re certainly hopeful we don’t end up in the situation we were in last week,” Carr warned.
“With triple-digit heat, 10% humidity and high winds, this really pushed the fire quickly.”