Gov. Kate Brown urged Oregonians to prepare for the possibility of wildfires spreading over the next few days due to a forecasted east wind event that is expected to impact much of Oregon and Southwest Washington in the early hours of Friday.

Brown and other fire officials told reporters in a virtual meeting on Thursday that is important to have a bag packed in case of evacuation and food supplies stocked up in case of power outages.

“Our goal here of course is to make sure that we save lives and protect property,” said Brown. “Get a plan in place if you don’t have one already.”

Two years ago a wind event sent wildfires racing across the state, burning homes and communities west of the Cascades and leaving Central Oregon under a pall of thick wildfire smoke for several days.

Wildfire officials on Thursday warned the public that electric power cuts will occur in some areas to prevent damaged electrical equipment from starting fires.

Brown said the state is “prepared to do whatever it takes” to protect Oregon communities from the kind of wildfires that impacted the state in 2020.

Travis Medema, Oregon’s chief deputy state fire marshal, said recent dry weather has made wildfires more likely in a wind event and the state is at the apex of fire season.

“New starts could be very problematic over the next 72 hours,” said Medema. Lightning in parts of Oregon in recent days could also ignite new wildfires, he warned.

Oregon currently has seven large fires that have burned 168,000 acres, Brown said. The nearest to Central Oregon is the 31,000-acre Cedar Creek Fire, burning 12 to 15 miles east of Oakridge.

Brown urged Oregonians to make an emergency plan in case of wildfire. “Being prepared is paramount. Go to bed tonight with a plan in the event your family needs to evacuate or you wake up without power. And please check on friends and family members who may be vulnerable or medically fragile,” she said.

Oregon is facing above-average temperatures and low humidity across the state over the next several days said Mike Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry fire chief. The Columbia River Gorge and the gaps in the Cascades could be particularly impacted, he said.

Andrew Phelps, the Director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, reminded Oregonians to charge devices and ensure that flashlights are in working order and have fresh batteries.

Phelps also advised people to stock up on water, medication and nonperishable food in case of power outages. A “go bag” with essential documents and cell phone chargers is critical in case of evacuation, he said.

“We have time to be as ready as possible,” said Phelps. “If you need a little extra help preparing, reach out to friends, neighbors, local community groups and ask for help.”

Drew Hanson, a spokesperson for Pacific Power, said power will be cut in high-risk areas on the west side of the Cascades, including parts of the Santiam Canyon, areas of Roseburg, as well as Sweet Home and Lebanon.

“Those areas have been identified as areas necessary to shut off power for public safety,” said Hanson. 

Maria Pope, chief executive of Portland General Electric, said 30,000 homes and businesses served by her utility could be impacted by the planned power cuts.

“Turning off power is a last resort for PGE and it’s only done to protect customers and their property from the risk of fire,” she said. Damage to PGE systems is also expected and crews will be working through the event to restore power, said Pope.

Pacific Power has sent public notifications to 12,500 customers warning of the possible power cuts in Lincoln, Tillamook, Douglass, Lynn and Marion counties, according to Allen Berreth, vice president of operations.

Shut-offs could come in the early hours of Friday and a map of potential cuts is on the Pacific Power website, he said.