Cram Fire in Oregon Rages, 73% Contained, Largest US Wildfire This Year

The Cram Fire in Oregon has been raging since July 13, consuming over 95,000 acres of land. The fire, located southeast of Portland in a sparsely populated area, has the potential to become a "megafire," a term used to describe fires that burn over 100,000 acres. The U.S. Interagency Fire Center defines a megafire as a fire that meets this size and severity threshold, similar to how the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale defines hurricanes.

Despite its size, the Cram Fire has not resulted in as much destruction as some smaller fires in California. To date, only four houses have been destroyed, although hundreds of other buildings remain threatened. The cause of the fire is still unknown. Evacuation orders and warnings are in place across at least three counties – Jefferson, Wasco, and Crook County. Officials are anticipating cooler weather, higher humidity, and possibly rain to help moderate the fire's behavior.

More than 930 firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze, which is currently 73% contained. The Cram Fire is the largest wildfire in the U.S. so far this year, although fire season typically peaks in the late summer months. The fire's location in a rural area has contributed to the relatively low number of structures destroyed, despite its size.

While the Cram Fire is the largest wildfire in the country right now, it is not the only one threatening land across the U.S. Two wildfires on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have burned over 70,000 acres, and in Colorado and Utah, the Deer Creek fire has burned over 16,000 acres. These fires, along with the Cram Fire, highlight the ongoing threat of wildfires across the country.