The 2024 Oregon wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Oregon.
Predictions for the 2024 fire season made by the National Interagency Fire Center forecasted above average wildfire potential in the southeastern portion of the state and average wildfire potential throughout the rest of Oregon.
As of September 23, an estimated 1.9 million acres have burned, breaking the state record previously set in 2020. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) declared an official end to the record-breaking fire season on October 28.
"Fire season" in Oregon typically begins in mid-May and ends with the first rains that normally begins in late September. Drought, snowpack levels, and local weather conditions play a role in Oregon's fire season, particularly in Eastern and Southwest Oregon. During peak fire season from July to September, most wildfires are caused by lightning, while ignitions in the early and later parts of the season are related to humans. Warm, dry conditions in summer heighten the wildfire risk. After over 100 years of fire suppression and prevention of all fires, there is now an abundance of fuel. Climate change is leading to a reduced snowpack with an earlier and reduced snowmelt, so there is a higher risk for areas that receive wildfires.
By late September, Oregon recorded a record-breaking ~1.9 million acres burnedâÂÂa staggering jump compared to 2023âÂÂs much more moderate figures. The wildfire season featured several megafiresâÂÂincluding the lightning-ignited Durkee Fire, which charred roughly 294,000 acres in eastern Oregon and became the largest blaze of the year in the stateâÂÂas well as the Little Yamsay Fire, the seasonâÂÂs first, which spread over 6,340 acres near Klamath Falls but was fully contained with no fatalities.
Spending on wildfire response surged: the Oregon Department of Forestry reported a staggering $132 million spentâÂÂmore than triple the usual amountâÂÂwith total suppression costs nearing $317 million, much of which is expected to be reimbursed federally. In response, lawmakers convened a special legislative session, approving $218 million in emergency funding to shore up resources and prepare for increasing wildfire risk amid a warming climate.
The following is a list of fires that burned more than , or produced significant structural damage or casualties.