The 476-square-mile (1,210-square-kilometer) Bootleg Fire is burning 300 miles (483 kilometers) southeast of Portland in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest, a vast expanse of old-growth forest, lakes and wildlife refuges.
If the fire were in densely populated parts of California, it would have destroyed thousands of homes by now, said James Johnston, a researcher with Oregon State University s College of Forestry who studies historical wildfires. But it is burning in one of the more remote areas of the lower 48 states. It s not the Bay Area out there.
At least 2,000 homes have been evacuated at some point during the fire and another 5,000 threatened. At least 70 homes and more than 100 outbuildings have gone up in flames. Thick smoke chokes the area where residents and wildlife alike have already been dealing with months of drought and extreme heat. No one has died.
National News
Oregon wildfire s size underscores vastness of West
The monstrous wildfire burning in Oregon has grown to a third the size of Rhode Island and spreads miles each day, but evacuations and property losses have been minimal compared with much smaller blazes in densely populated areas of California.
by Associated Press
Jul. 19 2021 @ 11:05pm
In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. The Bootleg Fire is among dozens burning in the parched West. (Bootleg Fire Incident Command via AP)
Updated: 1:09 ET, Jul 20 2021
OREGON S Bootleg Fire is now a third of the size of Rhode Island as thousands have been evacuated to escape the nation s biggest blaze.
Since the massive blaze started burning on July 6, it has scorched more than 300,000 acres and is one of the largest fires in Oregon s history.
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More than 2,000 firefighters are working to control the massive fireCredit: Reuters
The blaze has already burned through an area larger than the city of Los Angeles, as more than 2,000 firefighters work to keep it under control.
The Bootleg Fire is burning about 300 miles from the state s largest city, Portland, in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
Extreme weather fuels Oregon wildfires; outside help sought
GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press
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1of12In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, a DC-10 tanker drops retardant over the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, Thursday, July 15, 2021. Meteorologists predicted critically dangerous fire weather through at least Monday with lightning possible in both California and southern Oregon. (Bootleg Fire Incident Command via AP)APShow MoreShow Less
2of12In this photo provided by the Bootleg Fire Incident Command, the Bootleg Fire burns at night in southern Oregon on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The destructive Bootleg Fire, one of the largest in modern Oregon history, has already burned more than 476 square miles (1,210 square kilometers), an area about the size of Los Angeles. The Bootleg Fire is among dozens burning in the parched West. (Bootleg Fire Incident Command via AP)APShow MoreShow Less
Size of Oregon wildfire underscores vastness of the US West
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) â The monstrous wildfire burning in Oregon has grown to a third the size of Rhode Island and spreads miles each day, but evacuations and property losses have been minimal compared with much smaller blazes in densely populated areas of California.
The fire s jaw-dropping size contrasted with its relatively small impact on people underscores the vastness of the American West and offers a reminder that Oregon, which is larger than Britain, is still a largely rural state, despite being known mostly for its largest city, Portland.
The 476-square-mile (1,210-square-kilometer) Bootleg Fire is burning 300 miles (483 kilometers) southeast of Portland in and around the Fremont-Winema National Forest, a vast expanse of old-growth forest, lakes and wildlife refuges.