Oregon Fire Near Town as Fourth Firefighter Dies Weeks After Colorado Blaze A large wildfire fueled by dry, windy conditions is burning near Sisters, Oregon, a few miles north of the city. Meanwhile, a fourth firefighter has died in a separate incident linked to a fast-moving blaze near the Colorado-Utah border, authorities reported. The tragedy adds to a summer of widespread wildfires across the western U.S., with multiple fires burning simultaneously and emergency crews working to contain the spread. The fire near Sisters, a central Oregon city with a population of about 3,000, has grown to cover approximately 40 square miles (105 square kilometers) and is only 5% contained. Winds gusting up to 30 mph (50 kph) have threatened to push flames into new areas, complicating containment efforts. Firefighters have made progress in keeping the fire from encroaching on the town, though officials remain cautious. Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz said the city is not under immediate danger and that normal activities are continuing. “We’re not necessarily asking everybody to come to Sisters. But it’s safe here,” Letz said. She noted that about 30 people evacuated from areas north of the city are staying at a local high school, while others remain in recreational vehicles parked nearby. The fire, which was sparked by lightning, has been a top priority for firefighting resources. Over 300 aircraft and 5,300 personnel, including 133 in northwestern Ontario, are involved in suppression efforts. The largest fire in Ontario alone has scorched 1,200 square miles (3,200 square kilometers). The recent tragedy involving the fourth firefighter, Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, highlights the dangers faced by emergency responders.#oregon #sisters_oregon #jennifer_letz #nathan_matthews #colorado_utah_border
