Death Toll Rises to 9 as Oregon Wildfires Continue to Burn

By Mary Anne R. First Posted: Sep 22, 2020 04:11 AM EDT

Oregon wildfires fatalities have increased to nine people, as confirmed by the state's Office of Emergency Management Monday. Fires continued to ravage across the West Coast.

Over 27 large wildfires continue to burn 2,460 square miles across Oregon and Washington. There are over 9,000 fire personnel fighting these wildfires.

The Oregon Department of Forestry continues to closely monitor 10 major fires in Oregon that were initially 17. Once "100 percent lined," fires are removed from the list of wildfires being monitored.

One of Oregon's largest wildfires has scorched more than 300 square miles and is 13 percent contained. The Lionshead fire is considered to be one of the largest wildfires.

Around 1,500 square miles have been affected in Oregon. Officials said that prior to this year, the average of land burned each year in Oregon for the last 10 years was roughly half of that.

Reports said that five people in Oregon are currently missing. The American Red Cross is sheltering nearly 2,700 people. Over 2,300 Oregon residences have been destroyed by the wildfires. Some 1,500 other structures were burned, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown toured on Monday in Southern Oregon and met with families, firefighters, and others affected by the wildfires.

"From seeing it firsthand and talking with evacuees, the losses in Medford, Ashland, Phoenix, and Talent are hard to comprehend. My priority is to secure the resources necessary to help rebuild an even stronger southern Oregon," Brown said in a report.

Meanwhile, at least six men in Oregon have been accused of purposely setting blazes during the wildfire season, according to a report. However, there is no evidence that the suspects were motivated by politics despite conspiracies.

Officials said that some of the blazes were attributed to petty beefs, relationship troubles, and enjoying "the smell of smoke." Some of the suspects had records of convictions.

Jedediah Ezekiel Fulton was discovered setting fires to the woods outside the Glide after becoming upset with a member of a local forest protection organization.

"Jedediah was mad because the guy from (the Douglas Forest Protection Association) would not help him and not give him a ride to town," authorities said in a report.

Another suspect, Elias Newton Pendergrass, was caught in connection with the Sweet Creek Fires on Aug. 30 after threatening to burn down the town of Mapletown if his girlfriend broke up with him.

Jonathan Wayne Maas was also caught starting a fire on Sept. 9 near a disc golf course in Dexter, about 20 miles from the Holiday Farm fire that has spread to 170,000 acres.

Mass was seen to start a fire near a disc golf course. It has spread to 170,000 acres. Mass has records of convictions for forgery, burglary, and firearm possession. He confessed to authorities that he tossed a flare into a forested area, hoping that it would start a fire.

After two days, Samuel Piatt, who is homeless, told officers that he "likes the smell of smoke" when he was busted for lighting a large pile of leaves.