Every year, from July to October, wildfires rage along the Pacific Northwest. This year, the wildfire season in Oregon has seen an unprecedented amount of wildfires – three times the amount from 2023. As climate change exacerbates these natural disasters, we rely on firefighters who put their lives on the line every day to help control and maintain fires.
Durkee Fire Reaches 50% Containment
The Durkee Fire has been raging in Oregon for almost two weeks and has spanned over 288,000 acres – making it the largest fire in the United States. Firefighters have been working hard to manage the fire, which is now 50% contained.
Oregon Surpasses One Million Acres Burned This Year
Experts have reported that over one million acres in Oregon have been scorched by wildfires, and that number will continue to grow as the wildfire season continues and temperatures rise.
To combat the growing forest fires, approximately half of the United States firefighting resources have been deployed to the Pacific Northwest, including 12,000 firefighters and fire support personnel.
Air Tanker Pilot Who Died Fighting the Falls Fire in Oregon Identified
On July 25, 2024, an engine air tanker pilot, James Bailey Maxwell, who was working to support the fire crew in containing the Falls Fire in Oregon died in a plane crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is still investigating the cause of the accident. James was flying the plane while contracted with BLM, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
James was an experienced pilot with over 54 years of working to help combat the growing wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and is survived by family in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State. GLP Attorneys sends our deepest condolences to James’ friends and family.
Contact an Experienced Fire Personal Injury Attorney Today
Wildfires can be life-altering for firefighters containing the burn and families who reside in the evacuation zones. GLP Attorneys has extensive experience handling personal injury cases, including fire-related deaths and injuries. We are here to support you as you mentally, physically, and financially recover from an accident.
Our Fire Injuries practice is led by Janelle Carney Boston, Managing Shareholder of the Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Tri-Cities offices of GLP Attorneys. If you have been involved in a fire-related accident, please contact our attorneys for a free consultation at 800.273.5005.