Size of Oregon wildfire underscores vastness of the US West

The fire’s jaw-dropping size contrasted with its relatively small impact on people underscores the vastness of the American West and offers a reminder that Oregon, which is larger than Britain, is still a largely rural state, despite being known mostly for its largest city, Portland.

At least 2,000 homes have been evacuated at some point during the fire and another 5,000 threatened. At least 70 homes and more than 100 outbuildings have gone up in flames. Thick smoke chokes the area where residents and wildlife alike have already been dealing with months of drought and extreme heat. No one has died.

But as big as the Bootleg Fire is, it’s not the biggest Oregon has seen. The fire’s current size puts it fourth on the list of the state’s largest blazes in modern times, including rangeland fires, and second on the list of infernos specifically burning in forest. By the time the Bootleg Fire is extinguished months from now, it will likely be as big or bigger than those fires, but research shows that Oregon once experienced megafires much larger than these fairly often, Johnston said.

“We are running firefighting operations through the day and all through the night,” said Joe Hessel, incident commander. “This fire is a real challenge, and we are looking at sustained battle for the foreseeable future.”

Why is that “lucky'? It makes the fire much more dangerous for everyone involved, from the people who live and work in these rural places, to the ground and air support trying to contain the fire. NM all the carbon being released or the wildlife being stressed and/or killed.

Luckily you dont need trees to breathe

Oh did they forget to rake all those gazillion acres of forests? I wonder what they do with the rakings? Burn them?

Not so lucky for the billions of wildlife who call it home, though, or the trees which help clean the air and provide oxygen.

not your best word choice, AP.

Luckily? Seriously, WTF...

Luckily? Probably not for all the life there

There are animals there! Every forest fire takes thousands of lives!

Did they sweep the forest?

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