Oregon

Cram Fire in Oregon rages as it nears megafire status

Published

6 months ago

July 21, 2025

Cram Fire in Oregon rages as it nears megafire status

Firefighters in central Oregon made progress in their battle against a blaze that triggered evacuations and a state of emergency as it tore across swaths of rugged land, destroying four homes and threatening hundreds of other buildings.

The Cram Fire, which has become the nation’s largest wildfire this year, has charred 150 square miles of land, an area larger than the size of Las Vegas. The blaze broke out on July 13 and burned for several days before undergoing explosive growth fueled by strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity. It was at 49% containment as of Sunday, July 20.

The fire ignited near Willowdale, a sparsely populated area about 133 miles southeast of Portland, and swept through grasslands and rangeland in the region, fire officials said. The cause of the blaze is unclear and remains under investigation, officials said.

If the Cram Fire grows by more than 4,200 acres, it will reach what’s known as megafire status, meaning it will have burned more than 100,000 acres of land.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place across at least three counties, including Jefferson, Wasco and Crook County, according to Central Oregon Fire Information. In a statement on July 20, fire officials said they anticipate cooler weather, possible rain and higher humidity to “moderate fire behavior.”

Some personnel at Cram Fire to be released, officials say

Firefighters in Oregon have been aided by increasingly cooler and humid weather, which is expected to continue for the next few days.

More than 930 fire personnel responded to the blaze and worked to stop its rapid spread. On July 20, crews traversed rugged terrain as they used dozers to carve containment lines. They recently focused on the southern edge of the blaze, thinning juniper trees along the fire lines to reduce potential fuels.

Some personnel who were brought in to protect homes, businesses and other structures will be released as containment grows and cooler weather lingers, according to the Central Oregon Fire Information. “Remaining personnel will continue working around structures to extinguish hot spots and ensure any lingering threats to homes are addressed,” the fire agency said.

Wildfires burn across the West

While the Cram Fire was the largest wildfire in the nation, it was far from the only blaze scorching wide swaths of land.

In northern Arizona, a pair of wildfires burning at or near the Grand Canyon North Rim have charred over 70,000 acres of wildland. The White Fire, which devastated a section of the park, consuming a historic cabin and dozens of other buildings, was at 12,645 acres and 8% containment as of July 20.

In western Colorado, crews working a series of wildfires made gains over the weekend, setting up fire lines and increasing containment percentages. The largest of the wildfires, the Deer Creek Fire, has consumed 16,340 acres of land in Colorado and Utah and was at 22% containment.

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Oregon

Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The 100 Oregon National Guard troops who were federalized under Title 10, have begun demobilization activities, according to Governor Kotek’s office and U.S. Northern Command.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | Oregon National Guard troops deployed under Title 10 orders

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” U.S. Northern Command stated on their website.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek released a statement reading in part, “The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.”

The troops will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas to finish their demobilization before returning home to Oregon.

Oregon troops spent a majority of their time training at Camp Rilea on the Oregon Coast.

Read Governor Kotek’s full statement below:

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power.

“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

The court injunction that prevents guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Oregon

More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon

Published

20 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon

(UPDATE: added videos and quotes from Todd Mcgee, Owner of Powderhouse)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With snow already piling onto the mountains, more people are flocking to Central Oregon. With businesses seeing more people now than ever before this season.

Todd Mcgee, owner of Powderhouse told KTVZ News, “It’s a lot more in the fact if you think about it, was Christmas break where we should be slammed? we’re as busy or even busier then on a Monday than we were on christmas, you know, weekend. so it’s a huge, significant amount.”

Ski and snowboard rentals tell you much about how busy of a time it is.

The busier the rental shops, the busier the mountains are.

“A ton more season leases. and the nice thing about our rentals, when they’re coming back, they’re looking in good shape,” Mcgee told KTVZ News. “We’re not having to stay late and tune them and P-TEX them and get them all back looking nice.”

Powderhouse still has its day and a half turnaround to have equipment ready to go.

Iif you’re still looking to rent equipment, now’s the time to do it.

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Oregon

Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’

Gary Danielson just retired from calling college football games for decades, including this season’s Indiana at Oregon matchup on Oct. 11.

The Hoosiers (14-0) handed the then-No. 3 Ducks their only loss, 30-20, on the way to the nation’s No. 1 ranking heading into their Peach Bowl game Friday.

Danielson, who played quarterback at Purdue from 1970-72 before an 11-year NFL career, believes Oregon will be more focused for this game.

Remember IU’s historic season with this commemorative book!

The Ducks came into the matchup off an idle week after a double-overtime win over then-No. 3 Penn State at State College, Pennsylvania. Danielson sensed they were still basking in the glow of that win.

“I think Oregon will be very focused for this football game,” he said Monday on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “When Indiana beat them in Oregon, which is a tough place to play, Oregon was coming off their celebration for beating Penn State. Honestly, when we did our interviews, I was struck that they couldn’t get off the Penn State story. … They seemed to not take IU seriously. They’ll take them seriously for this game.”

Though IU made the College Football Playoff last season, some believed the Hoosiers were a one-year wonder, Danielson said.

“They were considered a fraud from their 2024 finish,” he said. “They weren’t frauds, but they weren’t ready for the big-time stage yet. I thought they were focused this year,” especially on defense.

The Hoosiers lost at Notre Dame in the first-round of last season’s CFP.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

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