Oregon’s Massive Wildfires, as Seen Through Google Glass

In recent years, even the traditionally wetter Pacific Northwest has seen an increase in fire activity.  According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a compilation of climate and weather data from the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, all but the Northwest corner of Oregon is mired in conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe drought.  That has made for a particularly devastating fire season.

While Oregon has seen large fires in the past, the trend toward hotter, drier conditions — and greater risk of wildfires — is clear.  As of September 10, Oregon’s state-protected lands have seen a ten-fold increase in acreage burned over the 10-year average. Throughout the entire state, more than 230,000 acres have burned.  Last year was even worse — in 2012, nearly 1.3 million acres burned statewide.

Oregon’s Massive Wildfires, as Seen Through Google Glass