The Lone Rock Fire in Oregon, which began on July 13 in Gilliam County, has become the state’s longest-running active wildfire of 2024, despite being fully contained. Having burned over 137,200 acres, it qualifies as a megafire, a term for wildfires covering at least 100,000 acres. This fire is one of five megafires in Oregon this year, alongside the Cow Valley, Durkee, Falls, and Monkey Creek fires.
While the Cow Valley and Falls fires have been resolved, the Lone Rock Fire continues to burn. The Falls Fire, which ignited on July 10 in Harney County, previously held the title for the longest-running fire of the year. It grew to over 151,690 acres, destroying 13 homes, 15 buildings, and causing 17 injuries, including the tragic death of a firefighting air tanker pilot.
So far, the Lone Rock Fire has injured 12 people and destroyed three homes and nine buildings. The 2024 wildfire season, marked as the largest since the 2020 Labor Day fires, has been particularly intense, although less destructive than that year. The fires have primarily affected Eastern Oregon.