NASA Satellites Capture Oregon Wildfires, Prompting Statewide Emergency Response
NASA's Aqua satellite has captured images of extensive wildfires in Oregon, which have been exacerbated by dry thunderstorms and extreme drought conditions. The fires, which began on July 15, 2026, have spread rapidly due to gusty winds, affecting central and eastern Oregon. As of July 26, 2026, the fires have burned over one million acres, prompting air quality advisories and evacuation orders in several communities. The largest active fires include the Hay Creek Complex, Brewer, Big Grass, Akawa Butte, and Powder River fires. State officials have invoked Oregon's Emergency Conflagration Act to protect communities from particularly threatening fires. 
