The Akawa Butte fire burning in central Oregon exploded in size this week and has now scorched more than 27,000 acres. The blaze is only 5% contained, authorities said at a press conference in Sisters Friday afternoon.

The number of uncontrolled wildfires in Oregon increased to 30 on July 24, up from 25 previously, following the recent lightning storm.

Poor air quality will continue through the weekend in seven Oregon counties, with intermittent smoke expected in eight more.

The Akawa Butte fire burning outside of Sisters in central Oregon exploded in size Wednesday afternoon as near triple-digit temperatures and strong winds fueled rapid fire growth. Fire officials said a pyrocumulus cloud — a massive cloud generated by intense heat from the fire — formed over the blaze Wednesday afternoon,

A blaze that’s burned at least two homes near Sisters is the number one priority wildfire in the nation, officials say.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A fire has broken out near Dufur, Oregon, on 8 Mile Road. The fire broke out just before 1 p.m. just north of Eightmile Creek, according to the Oregon Wildfire Dashboard. There are no evacuation orders in place,

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air quality advisory to cover 11 counties as multiple wildfires burn in the state.

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz during a House hearing Wednesday over the Trump administration’s reorganization of the agency, arguing that staffing cuts and employee relocations could undermine wildfire preparedness as another severe fire season unfolds across Oregon and much of the western United States.

Firefighters in Oregon are battling dozens of blazes with windy and dry conditions expected Friday and Saturday.