Double Creek Fire is burning 10,000 acres in Wallowa County

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Double Creek Fire burning near the community of Imnaha in Wallowa County. This declaration allows the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to take unified command today. The fire is estimated to be 10,000 acres in size, and the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuation orders for homes near the fire.

"The Double Creek Fire grew rapidly overnight, requiring additional resources to battle the fire and support the state's response," said Governor Brown. "With many fires actively burning across the state and several weeks of peak fire season ahead of us, I am urging all Oregonians to be prepared. Please continue to follow local and statewide fire prevention regulations and share what you know with others. Every fire we prevent helps keep our communities and firefighters safe, and our natural resources protected."

In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Brown determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The Governor's declaration cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire and further support a coordinated response.

Currently, local mutual aid and federal resources are on scene working to slow the fire's progress. An OSFM Incident Management Team will be briefed and will assume unified command today with federal partners. OSFM will bring in four additional task forces through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System from Lane, Clatsop, Washington, and Yamhill Counties to assist in the response.

Additional updates for the incident may be accessed at:
--Oregon State Fire Marshal Facebook page
--Wallowa County Sheriff's Office Facebook page

Information on wildfire prevention and preparedness may be accessed at:
-- ORAlert.gov
-- Keep Oregon Green
-- Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery
-- Office of Emergency Management