Governor Invokes Emergency Conflagration Act for Lookout Fire

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has taken swift action by invoking the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the growing Lookout Fire in the Cascade foothills of Lane County. The activation of this act enables the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to deploy firefighting personnel and equipment, as well as empower the Blue Incident Management Team to safeguard lives and property.

As temperatures soared and gusty winds persisted on Sunday afternoon, the Lookout Fire surged in intensity. These extreme conditions prompted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office to issue level 1 and level 2 evacuation notices for residences in proximity to the blaze, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal, expressed deep concern about the ongoing threat posed by the Lookout Fire. “The Lookout Fire has been growing rapidly,” said Ruiz-Temple. “The next few days are very concerning with continued red flag conditions. To face these challenging conditions, we will coordinate the resources necessary through the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to help our local fire service partners.”

Governor Kotek’s decision to invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act, as outlined in ORS 476.510-476.610, reflects her determination that the fire endangers both lives and property to a degree that surpasses the capabilities of local firefighting resources. This declaration paves the way for the OSFM to mobilize additional firefighters and equipment, bolstering the response efforts and assisting local teams in containing the fire’s advance.

With heightened fire danger and Red Flag Warnings prevalent in the region, the OSFM pre-positioned two task forces in Lane County on Saturday. These strategic preparations were made in anticipation of the escalating fire threat.

Under the direction of the OSFM’s Blue Incident Management Team, a unified command structure will be established to coordinate all firefighting and response activities. This collaborative approach ensures a well-organized and efficient effort to mitigate the Lookout Fire’s impact on the Cascade foothills and surrounding communities.

You can track this fire through our 2023 Wildfire Season partner’s Wildfire Aware app.