PORTLAND, Ore.–The warning comes as temperatures reach 90 plus Friday and Saturday. Gusty winds 45 to 55 mph will accompany the heat creating a pattern similar to the setup that led to Wildfires that killed 9 in 2020. The National Weather Service wants people in both states to be vigilant.
Portland General Electric is preparing to shutoff the power to 30,000 as soon as tomorrow morning. Towns affected include Sandy,Estacada, Molalla, Silverton, McMinville and Forest Grove. The Public Safety Power Shutoff is intended to reduce the chance of wildfires during especially hazardous fire weather. High winds could easily knock out power. Pacific Power could also follow the Safety Shutoff Policy impacting 12,500 customers in Linn, Douglas, Lincoln, Tillamook, Marion and Polk Counties.
Currently there are 8 large fires burning in Oregon. In a statement Oregon Governor Kate Brown says, “All Oregonians should be prepared for fire season and that it is paramount. I encourage all Oregonians to make an emergency plan with your families today. Go to bed tonight with a plan in the event your family needs to evacuate or you wake up without power.”