In September of 2020 the sky went dark at noon. Ash fell like snow across the Willamette Valley. On the Santiam Pass, entire towns vanished in a single night. Detroit and Gates burned until only chimneys stood. People left with whatever they could grab. Children were rushed into cars, animals herded into trailers, and families scattered in fear.

Across the state, more than 1.2 million acres burned in the Labor Day fires. Over 4,000 homes and buildings were lost. At least nine people died. Nearly half a million Oregonians were forced to evacuate. On the McKenzie River, the Holiday Farm Fire burned 173,000 acres and nearly erased Blue River. In Douglas County, the Archie Creek Fire spread across 131,000 acres in just one day. On the Santiam, the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires joined into a massive inferno that swallowed 402,000 acres and left five dead.

We remember the silence that followed. Smoke lingered for weeks. Schools closed. Breathing was heavy work. But Oregonians did not stand still. In church basements and high school gyms, strangers became neighbors. Meals were shared. Donations sorted. Children comforted. Out of the fire came another kind of blaze, one of generosity and care.

Now, five years later, another fire burns. The Flat Fire near Sisters and Culver has spread to nearly 22,000 acres. Four homes have already been destroyed and thousands more are under threat. Containment remains low, though cooler weather and higher humidity have slowed its advance. Families are evacuating again. The memory of 2020 rises with the smoke, but so does the strength that was built in those years.

Rebuilding After the Fires

The towns that were lost have not been forgotten. New businesses opened on the foundations of the old. Gates, though scarred, saw houses rise where only ash remained. The grief of losing a home never vanished, yet rebuilding became a declaration. We are still here.

Breitenbush Hot Springs tells the same story. In 2020, half of its cabins and gathering spaces were destroyed. Staff and firefighters fought together for three days to save what they could. Within a year, the retreat reopened in a limited way. By 2023, new lodgings were under construction. Today Breitenbush again welcomes visitors. Its survival is proof that loss is not the end of the story.

The land itself speaks to this truth. At first the ground was gray and lifeless. But within a year, shoots of green pierced the ash. Ferns unfurled beside blackened trunks. Birds sang from charred branches. Today wildflowers bloom in meadows born of fire. The forest teaches us that endings are beginnings. Life returns stronger for having been tested.

Preparing for Fire

The resilience of community also means readiness. We cannot stop fire from coming, but we can choose how we meet it. Preparation before, awareness during, and care after are all part of living with fire in Oregon.

Before a Fire

Go-Bag Essentials

IDs, insurance papers, medical records, and important contacts.
Medications (plus an extra week’s supply if possible).
Phone chargers, power banks, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Cash in small bills.
Bottled water and shelf-stable snacks.
A change of clothes and sturdy shoes.
N95 masks and a first aid kit.
Backup eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Pet Preparedness

Food and collapsible bowls for at least three days.
Carriers or crates for safe transport.
Leashes, harnesses, and comfort items like toys or blankets.
Vaccination and vet records in a waterproof folder.
Litter box and litter for cats.
Waste bags for dogs.
A photo of each pet (in case you are separated).

Home Safety

Clear brush, pine needles, and debris within 30 feet of your home.
Clean gutters and remove flammable materials from your roof and deck.
Store firewood and propane tanks away from the house.
Trim tree limbs to create a fire break.
Keep hoses, buckets, shovels, and tools accessible.
Install fine metal mesh screens on attic and crawlspace vents.
Use fire-resistant roofing and siding if possible.

Staying Informed

Sign up for local emergency alerts: COFIRE in Central Oregon, FlashAlert in the Willamette Valley.
Download Watch Duty for wildfire updates.
Use AirNow or PurpleAir to track smoke conditions.
Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in case cell service goes down.

Evacuation Planning

Identify at least two evacuation routes and practice them with your family.
Choose a meeting spot outside your neighborhood.
Share your evacuation plan with neighbors or relatives.
Keep your car fueled or charged above half at all times.
Store an extra go-bag in your car for quicker departure.

During a Fire

Watch evacuation alerts:
- Level 1: Be Ready
- Level 2: Be Set
- Level 3: Go Now
Leave immediately at Level 3. Do not wait.
Keep phones charged and cars fueled.
Wear N95 masks outdoors. Set AC or car ventilation to recirculate.
Check official updates from the sheriff, InciWeb, or county emergency management.
Help neighbors who may not be able to evacuate on their own.

After a Fire

Return only when authorities confirm it is safe.
Handle ash carefully—use gloves and masks. Replace HVAC filters and clean vents.
Test water before drinking if you rely on wells or local systems.
Connect with recovery support through the Red Cross, Oregon Department of Human Services, or your county.
Seek counseling or community groups for emotional health.
Join replanting efforts, trail restoration projects, and community cleanups to help the land heal.

Helpful Resources

Staying prepared also means knowing where to turn for trusted information and support. These resources provide updates, guidance, and aid before, during, and after a wildfire.

InciWeb

The official federal site for wildfire incidents: inciweb.wildfire.gov
Provides maps, situation reports, containment updates, and evacuation notices straight from fire management teams.

Watch Duty

A free community-powered wildfire tracking app available for iOS and Android.
Sends real-time alerts, photos, and on-the-ground reports from trained volunteers and verified sources.
Especially useful for fast-moving or developing fires.

Air Quality Tracking

AirNow.gov: official EPA site for regional air quality reports.
PurpleAir: crowdsourced air sensors that give hyper-local smoke and particulate readings.
Both help you decide when to mask up, stay indoors, or change travel plans.

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)

ODF Fire Protection: guidance on defensible space, Firewise landscaping, and current restrictions on burning or outdoor equipment use.
Offers homeowner checklists and land management resources.

Red Cross Oregon

Disaster relief, emergency shelters, and family reunification services.
Phone: 1-800-733-2767
Website: Red Cross Cascades Region
Volunteers also provide meals, health services, and recovery support after a fire.

COFIRE Alerts (Central Oregon)

Text COFIRE to 888-777 to sign up for regional text alerts.
Provides official evacuation notices, road closures, and fire perimeter changes for Central Oregon counties.

FlashAlert (Statewide)

FlashAlert: an emergency notification system used by schools, public agencies, and fire districts.
Offers email and app-based alerts for fires, weather, and other emergencies across Oregon.

County Sheriff Emergency Pages

Each Oregon county sheriff’s office posts evacuation maps, roadblocks, and emergency contact numbers.
Examples:
- Clackamas County Wildfire Information
- Marion County Emergency Management
- Lane County Evacuation Maps
Always check your county’s website or social media for the most immediate local updates.

Emergency Alerts on Your Cell Phone

Most modern phones receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) automatically, including evacuation notices. Make sure they’re enabled:
- iPhone: Go to Settings → Notifications → scroll down to Government Alerts and toggle on Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.
- Android: Go to Settings → Safety & Emergency (or Notifications → Wireless Emergency Alerts) → ensure all alert types are turned on.
Keep your phone charged and volume on high during fire season.

The Greater Community of Nature

When fire moves through Oregon, it does not only destroy. It clears. Old trees fall, but seeds waiting in the soil find the light. Rivers run clearer when freed from heavy shade. Elk graze in new meadows. Owls return to hunt along open ridgelines.

We are part of that cycle. Just as forests renew after fire, people renew after hardship. We learn to lean on one another. We discover strength in places we did not know it lived. Fire strips life to its essentials, and from that place we grow back.

Oregon is not just a state. It is a living community. Mountains, rivers, forests, and people are woven together. When one part is harmed, all feel it. When one part heals, all rise together.

Moving Forward

The Flat Fire is still burning. Families are displaced. Fire crews work long shifts. The outcome is not yet written.

We hold the memory of 2020 as a guide. We know loss. We know resilience. We know recovery. But we also know fear. Each summer grows hotter. Each season stretches longer. Fires come earlier and burn later. The threat is real, and it is not going away.

And yet, Oregon’s story is not only one of fire. It is one of return. The forest grows back. Towns rebuild. Breitenbush stands again. People carry one another through the hardest nights.

This is the Oregon way. To face the flame. To rebuild from ash. To live in harmony with the land that always finds a way forward.

Oregon on fire, Oregon together.