Gov. Kotek invokes Conflagration Act for fast-growing wildfire moving through steep, challenging terrain

The Cram Fire, which is burning east of Madras, continues to challenge fire crews. The rapidly growing fire moved southeast overnight Monday toward the community of Ashwood, causing crews to mobilize around the mining ghost town. It had grown to more than 40,000 acres as of Wednesday morning.

Simone Cordery-Cotter with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s green incident management team said all 60 structures were protected yesterday and last night. Crews are remaining in place to continue to defend nearby homes and other buildings.

The fire is running into steep and remote territory, with “challenging access,” according to a Central Oregon Fire press release this morning.

“It makes our operations extremely difficult,” said Cordery-Cotter.

Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act for the Cram Fire on Monday afternoon.

“Governor Kotek determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to the fire, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment,” said the governor’s office in a press release.

There are over 230 people working on the Cram Fire and more are expected to join, according to OSFM.

The Prineville Interagency Hotshots are working alongside the Bureau of Land Management and the Ashwood-Antelope Rangeland Fire Protection Association, according to Central Oregon Fire Information. The Oregon Department of Forestry, OFSM, and the U.S. Forest Service have also responded to the uncontained fire.

It’s unclear if more hotshot crews will be allocated to the fire — the Northwest region, which comprises Washington and Oregon, is currently at a priority level 3 out of 5 while the nation is at a level 4.

“So that means resources are in high competition,” said Cordery-Cotter.

Cooler weather on Tuesday will help firefighters but temperatures in Bend and Madras are expected to return to the mid-90s later this week.

Shifting winds blowing to the south sent smoke from the fire into Central Oregon and fire is starting to spot south and southwestward of the main blaze, which is currently 13 miles away from Madras.

At this time, Cordery-Cotter said crews are not concerned about the fire impacting Madras.

Evacuations are in place for parts of Wasco and Jefferson counties.

Evacuation shelters are currently located at Jefferson Middle School (1180 S.E. Kemper Way, Madras) for people and their pets and the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (430 S.W. Fairgrounds Road, Madras) for large animals.

Crews have been working to keep the flames east of U.S. Highway 97 — away from more populated areas.

Evacuation information can be found here. To receive text alerts about wildfires and prescribed burns in Central Oregon text “COFIRE” to 888-777. Visit CentralOregonFire.org for updates on active fires in the region.