A large 2017 wildfire in southwest Oregon destroyed 6 homes and threatened thousands more. Its smoke also contributed to respiratory and other health problems in nearby communities and hurt businesses and workers. The fire grew slowly over its first month before strong, hot winds caused a rapid expansion, as shown in this map.
Local officials, community members, and others questioned whether the Forest Service could have done more to suppress the fire. Forest Service officials said firefighters initially faced dangerous conditions and a low likelihood of success in remote, steep terrain, and that they prioritized firefighter safety.
Burn Mosaic (Burned and Unburned Trees) Produced by the Chetco Bar Fire, 2017
Aerial view of burned and unburned trees
