Governor Invokes Emergency Conflagration Act for Tiller Trail Fire

Salem, Oregon– On Saturday night, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the rapidly spreading Tiller Trail Fire in Douglas County. The wildfire, which began around 3 p.m. on Saturday, is currently estimated to cover an area between 3,000 to 5,000 acres.

In response to the growing fire, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has activated its Green Incident Management Team, along with three structural task forces. The mobilization includes a structural task force from the Rogue Valley, which was deployed on Saturday afternoon through Immediate Response.

State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting the increased fire activity on the west side of the Cascades in recent days. “The fire danger across Oregon is extremely concerning,” Ruiz-Temple stated. “We are bringing in the full force of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to help protect homes and critical infrastructure near the Tiller Trail Fire.” She also urged all Oregonians and visitors to take precautions to prevent additional wildfires, as August has historically been a challenging month for wildfire activity in the state.

The Douglas County Sheriff has issued evacuation notices at levels 1, 2, and 3, and residents are advised to follow the Sheriff’s updates for the latest information.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team is scheduled to be briefed at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. They will operate in unified command with an Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team.

The Emergency Conflagration Act, invoked by Governor Kotek, allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property when local firefighting efforts are insufficient. This measure is outlined under ORS 476.510-476.610 and is employed when the threat posed by a wildfire exceeds the capabilities of local personnel and equipment.