Oregon Wildfires Trigger Level 3 "Go Now" Evacuations as Blazes Consume Over 1.3 Million Acres

Wildfires have now burned over 1.3 million acres across Oregon, leading to multiple evacuations and road closures, according to KPTV. Officials have increased evacuation levels for the Hagen Fire, which is burning in Umatilla and Union counties. The Umatilla County Emergency Operation Center upgraded an area from Level 2 "Be Ready" to Level 3 "GO NOW," effective immediately. The Level 3 area, designated UMC-1406018-A, includes the area south of the National Forest 3719 Road east to the Umatilla County line. The Hagen Fire has grown to 31,862 acres and is only 3% contained. The fire is expanding to the south and east, with moderate spread to the west as the fire backs down a ridgeline. A burnout operation to improve fire lines and secure the west side of the Hagen Fire along Rattlesnake Ridge is planned. The Emergency Operation Center is being run by Umatilla County Emergency Management, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Emergency Management, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The center is working closely with the Northwest Incident Management Team 7 on the Hagen Fire. There are 939 personnel working out of bases in Walla Walla, Elgin and Athena. A new spike camp in Elgin is supporting over three hundred firefighters to advance fire lines being built to the south and east of the Hagen Fire. The Paradise Fire, about 10 miles southeast of Walla Walla, is 763 acres. The Horse Ridge Fire, about 5 miles northeast of Meacham, is 838 acres and 76% contained. The Oregon Department of Transportation is using pilot cars to guide traffic between Prineville and Mitchell on Highway 26. Highway 20 is now open between Burns and Vale following a closure due to a wildfire. Officials remind residents that due to the remote nature of these affected areas, residents must remain extremely vigilant and proactively monitor surrounding fire activity. Fire conditions can change rapidl