Fire Season

What to Know About Oregon Wildfires Right Now

Where the fires are burning, how to track them, and how to stay safe.

07/25/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson

No Filter

When Did Oregon Summers Get So Smoky?

It’s not just you: wildfire season has fundamentally changed.

05/03/2024 By Zoe Sayler

Be Prepared

Worried about Your Home Surviving the Next Disaster?

Construction makes a difference, but community might make a bigger one.

04/17/2024 By Brian Libby Illustrations by Joseph Laney

Blazes

The Wildfires We're Watching Closely, and Where to Avoid

Air quality has improved around Portland, but areas in Central Oregon and the Cascade Mountains are still on fire.

09/02/2023 By Sam Stites

Fires

Make S'mores Now, Before Burn Ban Begins a Month Early—but There’s a Loophole

Multnomah County is initiating a burn ban this week. Here's how to safely enjoy those s'mores anyway.

06/14/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Forests

Why You Should Visit Wildfire-Burned Forests This Summer

If they are safe and open, expect surprisingly gorgeous regrowth among mosaics of burned and spared foliage.

05/25/2023 By Matt Wastradowski

Disaster Prep

How to Prepare a Portland Home for Earthquakes and Wildfire Smoke

You’re living in a disaster-prone state. Are you ready for the next one?

04/07/2023 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen Illustrations by SanQian

Camping

Camping in the Era of Fire Bans

Here’s how to plan for camping trips without campfires.

04/04/2023 By Matt Wastradowski

Camp Cooking

How to Dutch Oven Cook like a Pro

Tournant chefs Mona Johnson and Jaret Foster share tips and tricks for cooking great open-fire meals, plus their recipe for clam stew.

03/29/2023 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

State Parks

After Marking a Century, What’s Next for Oregon State Parks?

One of the nation’s best state parks systems is busy updating facilities, studying climate change, and becoming a more welcoming environment for all types of visitors.

03/09/2023 By Sam Stites

Wildfire

Rain Is Coming, But for Now Local Wildfires Are Still Sparking

The fires sparked during this unseasonably warm October are driving our subpar air quality, too.

10/17/2022 By Sam Stites

Getaways

Breitenbush Hot Springs to Open New Guestrooms

As part of its recovery from the 2020 wildfires, the wilderness resort plans to open 24 new overnight spots in January 2023.

09/16/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Environment

Air Quality Across Oregon Is Improving Despite Ongoing Wildfires

And the power's back on, too.

09/12/2022 By Matthew Trueherz

Wildfires

Wildfire Season in Oregon Has Been Low-Key...So Far

But with hot, dry weather ahead and fires burning around beloved Waldo Lake, that might not last.

08/17/2022 By Julia Silverman

Money

Portland Voters Have Almost Always Been Willing to Raise Their Own Taxes

Portlanders have been willing to tax themselves time and again for public services, from schools and libraries to the fire department. Is that era ending?

08/16/2022 By Jacob Fenton Illustrations by Alessandro Gottardo