July 16, 2025 11:30 a.m. 

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared a State of Emergency due to the imminent threat of wildfire beginning on Wednesday and lasting through the calendar year.

Kotek said, “Oregon is already experiencing a devastating wildfire season that will have lasting consequences. The summer is only getting hotter, drier and more dangerous – we have to be prepared for worsening conditions”.

Kotek said, “I am declaring a State of Emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to his year’s escalating wildfire season”. Kotek said all Oregonians should follow local instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts at: https://oralert.gov/, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.

The release said following Oregon law, Governor Kotek determined that Oregon is in a critical fire danger situation, threatening life, safety and property because of extreme high temperatures. The state has already experienced wildfires this season resulting in six state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Grant declarations, several community evacuations, threatened and damaged structures, and critical infrastructure.

This declaration directs Oregon state agencies to support access to and use of personnel and equipment of all state agencies, including deployment of the National Guard if necessary.