The 2021 Oregon wildfire season began in May 2021.[2] More than 1,000 fires had burned at least 518,303 acres (209,750 ha) across the state as of July 21, 2021.[3][4][5] As of August 1, it was expected that the fires might not be contained for months.[6]
The wildfire season in Oregon experienced an early start due to an abnormally dry spring coupled with low snowpack levels amid an ongoing drought.[7] The 2021 season has been outpacing the destructive previous season, with nearly 10 times as many acres have burned as of July 20 compared to the previous year through that date, according to the NIFC's Northwest Coordination Center.[3]