This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/12/us/wildfires-live-updates.html
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Wildfires Live Updates: 17 Dead and Dozens Missing in Vast Blazes | Wildfires Live Updates: 17 Dead and Dozens Missing in Vast Blazes |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Dozens of people remain missing in Oregon as wildfires that have torched millions of acres across the West continue to burn on Saturday, the death toll rising to 17 and smoke choking residents in cities far from the fires. | Dozens of people remain missing in Oregon as wildfires that have torched millions of acres across the West continue to burn on Saturday, the death toll rising to 17 and smoke choking residents in cities far from the fires. |
| With the blazes still spreading and many homes destroyed, Oregon’s director of emergency management said on Friday that the state feared a “mass fatality incident.” Three additional deaths in the state were announced after his warning. | With the blazes still spreading and many homes destroyed, Oregon’s director of emergency management said on Friday that the state feared a “mass fatality incident.” Three additional deaths in the state were announced after his warning. |
| Oregon, Washington and California are all under assault from a wildfire season of historic proportions, with the firefighting effort compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and misinformation online. The White House announced on Saturday that President Trump would visit McClellan Park, Calif., to be briefed on the wildfires. | Oregon, Washington and California are all under assault from a wildfire season of historic proportions, with the firefighting effort compounded by the coronavirus pandemic and misinformation online. The White House announced on Saturday that President Trump would visit McClellan Park, Calif., to be briefed on the wildfires. |
| California has seen more than 3.1 million acres go up in flames, about 26 times as much as had burned at this point last year, and officials warn that more fires are likely. One of the fire complexes burning this week became the largest in the state’s history this week, having burned across 747,000 acres. | California has seen more than 3.1 million acres go up in flames, about 26 times as much as had burned at this point last year, and officials warn that more fires are likely. One of the fire complexes burning this week became the largest in the state’s history this week, having burned across 747,000 acres. |
| “It’s just something we’ve never seen in our lifetime,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday, standing amid charred trees and a yellow haze of smoke left by the raging fires. | “It’s just something we’ve never seen in our lifetime,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday, standing amid charred trees and a yellow haze of smoke left by the raging fires. |
| The governor said he feared that more bodies would be found and described the scale of the battle that firefighters were in as unprecedented. | The governor said he feared that more bodies would be found and described the scale of the battle that firefighters were in as unprecedented. |
| In Oregon, the fires have burned over more than 1 million acres — larger than Rhode Island — and the state’s air quality ranks among the worst in the world. | In Oregon, the fires have burned over more than 1 million acres — larger than Rhode Island — and the state’s air quality ranks among the worst in the world. |
| “Almost anywhere in the state you can feel this right now,” Gov. Kate Brown said. | “Almost anywhere in the state you can feel this right now,” Gov. Kate Brown said. |
| Tens of thousands of Oregonians have already been evacuated, and about 500,000 are in areas that may be ordered to flee as the fires grow. Towns including Talent and Phoenix have been largely obliterated, and three new deaths were reported on Friday: Officials in Marion County found two additional victims from the Beachie Creek Fire east of Salem, and crews found another victim in a house east of Eugene. | Tens of thousands of Oregonians have already been evacuated, and about 500,000 are in areas that may be ordered to flee as the fires grow. Towns including Talent and Phoenix have been largely obliterated, and three new deaths were reported on Friday: Officials in Marion County found two additional victims from the Beachie Creek Fire east of Salem, and crews found another victim in a house east of Eugene. |
| In Washington, where fires have burned more than 626,000 acres since Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee said the state was suffering “a cataclysmic event.” | In Washington, where fires have burned more than 626,000 acres since Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee said the state was suffering “a cataclysmic event.” |
| But as residents prepared for more pain, they also looked to the skies and hoped that changing weather might help them this weekend. Doug Grafe, chief of Fire Protection for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said that the strong winds that had spread the fires had dissipated, and that cooler temperatures and higher humidity would help fire crews move “to the offense” in fighting the blazes. | But as residents prepared for more pain, they also looked to the skies and hoped that changing weather might help them this weekend. Doug Grafe, chief of Fire Protection for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said that the strong winds that had spread the fires had dissipated, and that cooler temperatures and higher humidity would help fire crews move “to the offense” in fighting the blazes. |
| As families search for missing loved ones and as search-and-rescue crews push their way into areas devastated by fires, there has been some good news. The number of missing people in Marion County, which includes Salem and where at least four people have died, dropped from 18 to 10 as people who had been reported missing amid the Beachie Creek Fire were found safe. | As families search for missing loved ones and as search-and-rescue crews push their way into areas devastated by fires, there has been some good news. The number of missing people in Marion County, which includes Salem and where at least four people have died, dropped from 18 to 10 as people who had been reported missing amid the Beachie Creek Fire were found safe. |
| [Sign up for California Today, our daily newsletter from the Golden State.] | [Sign up for California Today, our daily newsletter from the Golden State.] |
| Authorities in southern Oregon charged a 41-year-old man with starting part of one of this year’s most destructive fires, saying he lit the fire in a small Oregon town as a larger blaze moved toward the area. | Authorities in southern Oregon charged a 41-year-old man with starting part of one of this year’s most destructive fires, saying he lit the fire in a small Oregon town as a larger blaze moved toward the area. |
| The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the Almeda Fire started around 11 a.m. on Tuesday in Ashland, Ore., and then began spreading north along Interstate 5. Around 5 p.m., residents reported that a man had started a fire in Phoenix, a town of about 4,500 people just north of Ashland that was under orders to evacuate, authorities said. | The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the Almeda Fire started around 11 a.m. on Tuesday in Ashland, Ore., and then began spreading north along Interstate 5. Around 5 p.m., residents reported that a man had started a fire in Phoenix, a town of about 4,500 people just north of Ashland that was under orders to evacuate, authorities said. |
| The Sheriff’s Office said police officers discovered Michael Jarrod Bakkela at the scene, denying that he started the large fire nearby. Police arrested him on a parole violation. | The Sheriff’s Office said police officers discovered Michael Jarrod Bakkela at the scene, denying that he started the large fire nearby. Police arrested him on a parole violation. |
| On Friday, the Jackson County district attorney charged him with arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangering. | On Friday, the Jackson County district attorney charged him with arson, criminal mischief and reckless endangering. |
| Mr. Bakkela, who could not be reached, had not yet been appointed a lawyer, said Beth Heckert, the county’s district attorney. He was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Monday, she said. | Mr. Bakkela, who could not be reached, had not yet been appointed a lawyer, said Beth Heckert, the county’s district attorney. He was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Monday, she said. |
| Mike Moran, a public information officer for the Jackson County sheriff, said Mr. Bakkela had a criminal record and was well known to local law enforcement. A news release from the Sheriff’s Office described him as “a local transient.” | Mike Moran, a public information officer for the Jackson County sheriff, said Mr. Bakkela had a criminal record and was well known to local law enforcement. A news release from the Sheriff’s Office described him as “a local transient.” |
| While many wildfires on the West Coast this year have burned through remote areas and parts of rural communities, the Almeda Fire hit a series of towns along the freeway in southern Oregon, destroying an estimated 500 homes and 100 businesses. Mr. Moran said authorities were still investigating the fire’s initial point of origin in Ashland. He said that they suspected arson there, too, and that they found the remains of one man near the fire’s start. | While many wildfires on the West Coast this year have burned through remote areas and parts of rural communities, the Almeda Fire hit a series of towns along the freeway in southern Oregon, destroying an estimated 500 homes and 100 businesses. Mr. Moran said authorities were still investigating the fire’s initial point of origin in Ashland. He said that they suspected arson there, too, and that they found the remains of one man near the fire’s start. |
| As misinformation about the origin of the wildfires in Oregon continued to spread on social media, a civilian blockade popped up outside Portland, with residents setting up checkpoints and stopping cars coming into the area, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said. | |
| “While we understand their intent is to keep the community safe, it is never legal to block a public roadway or force other citizens to stop,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on Twitter late Friday. “Please report suspicious activity to us and do not take action yourselves.” | |
| Widely discredited rumors claiming that left-wing activists had set fires have spread on Facebook and Twitter, prompting some residents to contemplate dismissing evacuation orders, saying they want to protect their homes. | |
| As a Level 3 evacuation this week urged people to “leave now,” an eerie stillness fell over Molalla, an old timber town of 9,000 an hour’s drive south of Portland, and the holdout residents girded themselves for two threats. One was the very real 130,000-acre Riverside Fire burning just east of town. The other was the imagined invasion of left-wing mobs and arsonists that multiple law enforcement agencies have sought to refute. | |
| Residents who remained hosed down their roofs and soaked their lawns. They organized go-bags of baby supplies and clothes, just in case. They scouted for unfamiliar cars on the roads. | Residents who remained hosed down their roofs and soaked their lawns. They organized go-bags of baby supplies and clothes, just in case. They scouted for unfamiliar cars on the roads. |
| “I’m protecting my city,” Troy McNeeley said as he stood in front of the 900-square foot home he shares with his son, his son’s partner and several cats. “If I see people doing crap, I’m going to hurt them.” | “I’m protecting my city,” Troy McNeeley said as he stood in front of the 900-square foot home he shares with his son, his son’s partner and several cats. “If I see people doing crap, I’m going to hurt them.” |
| The rumors played into some conservative residents’ fears and anger over months of protests in Portland, where left-wing and right-wing groups have occasionally clashed. | The rumors played into some conservative residents’ fears and anger over months of protests in Portland, where left-wing and right-wing groups have occasionally clashed. |
| On Wednesday, the police in Portland warned protesters about lighting fires — a seemingly innocuous public-safety message that was followed by waves of rumor about arsonists and mayhem. Sheriff’s offices and fire departments already coping with wildfires that have consumed 900,000 acres were flooded with phone calls. | On Wednesday, the police in Portland warned protesters about lighting fires — a seemingly innocuous public-safety message that was followed by waves of rumor about arsonists and mayhem. Sheriff’s offices and fire departments already coping with wildfires that have consumed 900,000 acres were flooded with phone calls. |
| “We are inundated with questions about things that are FAKE stories,” the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Medford posted on Facebook. “One example is a story circulating that varies about what group is involved as to setting fires and arrests being made. THIS IS NOT TRUE!” | “We are inundated with questions about things that are FAKE stories,” the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Medford posted on Facebook. “One example is a story circulating that varies about what group is involved as to setting fires and arrests being made. THIS IS NOT TRUE!” |
| As the blazes rage across California, Oregon and Washington, family and friends are desperately searched for missing loved ones who remained unaccounted for. | As the blazes rage across California, Oregon and Washington, family and friends are desperately searched for missing loved ones who remained unaccounted for. |
| Zygy Roe-Zurz, whose family lives in Berry Creek, Calif., said he had been waiting for days for news from his mother, his aunt and his uncle. On Thursday, he learned that his aunt was killed as the Bear Fire ripped through the community, and that his mother remained missing. Authorities told the family that Mr. Roe-Zurz’s uncle was likely dead as well, he said. | Zygy Roe-Zurz, whose family lives in Berry Creek, Calif., said he had been waiting for days for news from his mother, his aunt and his uncle. On Thursday, he learned that his aunt was killed as the Bear Fire ripped through the community, and that his mother remained missing. Authorities told the family that Mr. Roe-Zurz’s uncle was likely dead as well, he said. |
| “I feel barren — this is a fathomless loss and I will never be the same,” said Mr. Roe-Zurz, 37, who is in Arkansas and last spoke to his mother on Tuesday night, before the flames intensified. “This cruel fire took everything.” | “I feel barren — this is a fathomless loss and I will never be the same,” said Mr. Roe-Zurz, 37, who is in Arkansas and last spoke to his mother on Tuesday night, before the flames intensified. “This cruel fire took everything.” |
| He said that his family members staying at the property in Berry Creek had been under the impression that the fire was getting under control, but that the situation changed dramatically as the Bear Fire jumped an astonishing 230,000 acres overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. | He said that his family members staying at the property in Berry Creek had been under the impression that the fire was getting under control, but that the situation changed dramatically as the Bear Fire jumped an astonishing 230,000 acres overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. |
| “It’s pretty much a nightmare scenario,” Mr. Roe-Zurz said. “I’m devastated.” | “It’s pretty much a nightmare scenario,” Mr. Roe-Zurz said. “I’m devastated.” |
| There was better news for other families who found out that loved ones they believed to be missing were found safe on Thursday. | There was better news for other families who found out that loved ones they believed to be missing were found safe on Thursday. |
| Katy Carmel said her daughter, Natalie Anderson, had been on a camping trip with her boyfriend near the McKenzie Bridge east of Eugene, Ore. But when the Holiday Farm Fire broke out on Monday evening, Ms. Carmel could no longer reach Ms. Anderson. | Katy Carmel said her daughter, Natalie Anderson, had been on a camping trip with her boyfriend near the McKenzie Bridge east of Eugene, Ore. But when the Holiday Farm Fire broke out on Monday evening, Ms. Carmel could no longer reach Ms. Anderson. |
| Ms. Carmel could not sleep, fearing the worst. Days passed and the anxiety built. On Thursday, authorities notified the families that both Ms. Anderson and her boyfriend, Enmanuel Rodriguez, were safe and evacuated. | Ms. Carmel could not sleep, fearing the worst. Days passed and the anxiety built. On Thursday, authorities notified the families that both Ms. Anderson and her boyfriend, Enmanuel Rodriguez, were safe and evacuated. |
| Ms. Carmel said she was relieved to hear the news, but added, “I’ll be better once she’s actually home.” | Ms. Carmel said she was relieved to hear the news, but added, “I’ll be better once she’s actually home.” |
| Smoke from wildfires, which can include toxic substances from burned buildings, has been linked to serious health problems. | Smoke from wildfires, which can include toxic substances from burned buildings, has been linked to serious health problems. |
| Studies have shown that when waves of smoke hit, the rate of hospital visits rises and many of the additional patients experience respiratory problems, heart attacks and strokes. | Studies have shown that when waves of smoke hit, the rate of hospital visits rises and many of the additional patients experience respiratory problems, heart attacks and strokes. |
| If you cannot leave an area that has high levels of smoke, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend limiting exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed and running air-conditioners in recirculation mode so that outside air is not drawn into your home. | |
| Portable air purifiers are also recommended, though, like air-conditioners, they require electricity. If utilities cut off power, as has happened in California, those options are limited. | Portable air purifiers are also recommended, though, like air-conditioners, they require electricity. If utilities cut off power, as has happened in California, those options are limited. |
| Experts say it is especially important to avoid cigarettes. They also recommend avoiding strenuous outdoor activities when the air is bad. When outside, well-fitted N95 masks are also recommended, though they are in short supply because of the coronavirus pandemic. | Experts say it is especially important to avoid cigarettes. They also recommend avoiding strenuous outdoor activities when the air is bad. When outside, well-fitted N95 masks are also recommended, though they are in short supply because of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Tim Arango, Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Maria Cramer, Kate Conger, Jill Cowan, Richard Fausset, Marie Fazio, Christopher Flavelle, Thomas Fuller, Jack Healy, Annie Karni, Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, Jack Nicas, Bryan Pietsch, John Schwartz, Will Wright and Alan Yuhas. | Reporting was contributed by Davey Alba, Tim Arango, Mike Baker, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Maria Cramer, Kate Conger, Jill Cowan, Richard Fausset, Marie Fazio, Christopher Flavelle, Thomas Fuller, Jack Healy, Annie Karni, Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio, Jack Nicas, Bryan Pietsch, John Schwartz, Will Wright and Alan Yuhas. |