Once again, we are in the heart of wildfire season. With record heat, dry conditions, and lightning storms sparking new blazes, communities across the West are feeling the impact. In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek recently declared a State of Emergency (July 16, 2025) to help mobilize resources and protect Oregonians as wildfire activity escalates.

Whether you live in a wildfire-prone area or are simply traveling around the state this summer, it’s important to stay informed, prepared, and connected to reliable updates. Wildfire season can be stressful, but staying informed and supporting each other makes a difference. Check in with neighbors, especially those who are elderly or may need extra help preparing for evacuation.

Here are a few resources to help you, your family, and your community stay prepared:

• Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery: https://wildfire.oregon.gov/
• Oregon Department of Forestry Facebook – updates: https://www.facebook.com/oregondepartmentofforestry
• Oregon State Fire Marshal: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/wildfire/
  • Information Hub: https://osfminfo.org/
  • Interactive Fire Maps: https://osfminfo.org/maps/
• Oregon Smoke Maps: https://www.oregonsmoke.org/
• Oregon Emergency Alerts: https://oralert.gov/
• Washington Emergency Alerts: https://mil.wa.gov/alerts
• California Emergency Alerts: https://calalerts.org/

Here are a few simple steps you can take:

• Prepare a “Go Bag” with essentials like water, medications, important documents, and pet supplies. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has a checklist for creating a 72-hour emergency kit.
• Know your evacuation routes and talk with your household about what you’d do in an emergency. Learn the 3 evacuation levels (Ready, Set, Go!) and what they mean for you.
• Check road conditions and air quality before you travel—smoke and closures can make driving hazardous. Wildfires can close highways and create poor visibility from smoke. Use TripCheck to check road conditions and monitor air quality.
• Practice prevention. Avoid outdoor activities that could spark fires, such as mowing dry grass midday or leaving campfires unattended. Utilize the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s Pocket Plan and create your own plan.

Interested in learning more about living in the era of megafires?

Watch our virtual series, Adapting to the Era of Megafires, on YouTube.

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