DUFUR, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and her wife, Aimee Kotek Wilson, arrived in Tygh Valley on Sunday.
The two women stood at a viewpoint on the side of the road, surveying the damage from the Larch Creek Fire . "You just have no sense until you’re out here and seeing it," Kotek said. "For me, this is my first big fire season as governor and so I need to be out here.
" The Larch Creek Fire burned has over 18,000 acres in Wasco County. As of Sunday, it was 81% contained. "Incredible amount of work, hundreds of folks out here saving homes," the governor said.
"These communities are really lucky to be here right now." While the Larch Creek Fire is under control, many other fires are burning across the state. Kotek said at least three are labeled "mega fires," as they've burned more than 100,000 acres.
The Lone Rock Fire, the Cow Valley Fire and the Falls Fire all fit in that category. Another fire, the Durkee Fire in Baker County, joined the growing list over the weekend. Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act on Saturday so the state fire marshal could bring in more resources to help.
"Right now, we are focusing on keeping people safe, protecting communities, protecting lives and livestock lives," the governor said. "It will be costly but were doing everything we can right now to protect people and we'll worry about the bill later." The governor added that there will need to be a long-term discussion in Salem about how to fund resources for fire seasons as intense as this one.