Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in Oregon on July 16 that will last through end of the year due to the imminent threat of wildfire.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency on Wednesday warning the state’s wildfire threat is only expected to increase as the summer continues.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Wednesday issued an air quality advisory for Klamath and Jefferson counties as several large wildfires burn in the state. Smoke from the Hagelstein and Elk fires in Klamath County and the Cram fire in Jefferson County are causing unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups,

Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday morning declared a State of Emergency across Oregon due to the increasing threat of wildfires, warning that high temperatures and dry conditions are expected to fuel more destructive blazes through the end of 2025.

The Board of Forestry has long had the power to hire and fire the state forester. Then lawmakers passed a bill transferring that authority to the governor.

The Cram Fire, burning about 20 miles northeast of Madras in central Oregon, has grown over 40,000 acres and is zero percent contained.

Burning nearly 65,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, the Cram Fire in Central Oregon is threatening a nearby correctional facility in Jefferson County, according to the

Wildfires were seen in Jefferson County as the County Sheriff’s Office posted a video of a firefighting helicopter dropping water with smoke rising in the background.