Wildfires force evacuations and closures in southern Oregon

Severe lightning storms ignited 72 wildfires in southern Oregon's Jackson and Josephine counties, leading to mandatory evacuations and closures of parts of Interstate 5. Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, enabling the mobilization of additional firefighting resources. State fire marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple warned that the extended weather forecast provides no relief from the current conditions. High temperatures and ongoing dry weather contribute to an elevated fire risk throughout the state. Furthermore, officials noted an increase in human-caused fires this summer, complicating the firefighting efforts.

Ruiz-Temple urged the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent igniting new fires. The state's fire response teams are actively engaged in battling the blazes while assessing the situation's impact on local communities. Continued monitoring and resource allocation will be critical as the wildfires pose a significant threat to safety and infrastructure.