Shawn Thompson hugs Melissa Vuckovich after an unsuccessful search for their missing cat, at the location of where their home once stood, in a mobile home park on September 11, 2020 in Ashland, Oregon.
David Ryder | Getty Images
A week after wildfires began consuming thousands of acres of land in Oregon, firefighters are still working to contain some of the most destructive blazes in the state’s history.
There are currently 34 fires raging in the area and more than 900,000 acres have burned in the state, according to Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management. The majority of the fires are located in the westernmost part of the state along the Cascade mountain range.
Much of the state remains under an air quality alert as smoky skies have yet to clear in the region. Smoke levels are expected to remain at unhealthy levels through at least Tuesday.
A number of school districts in the state have announced closures due to these hazardous conditions.
Fog combined with smoke has kept temperatures cooler in the state and aided in suppressing some fires. At least 10 people have died, according to reports, and countless homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Thousands forced to flee as fires rage
Oregon residents evacuate north along highway Highway 213 on September 9, 2020 near Oregon City, Oregon.
Nathan Howard | Getty Images
Red sky and thick smoke are seen in Salem City
Red sky and thick smoke are seen in Salem City, Oregon, U.S., September 8, 2020, in this picture obtained from social media. Picture taken September 8, 2020.
Zak Stone | Reuters
Some residents remain to protect their properties
A sign is seen near the road as the fire continues, near Mollala, Oregon, U.S., September 13, 2020.
Shannon Stapelton | Reuters
Entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes
In this aerial view from a drone, homes destroyed by fire are shown on September 10, 2020 in Phoenix, Oregon. Hundreds of homes in the town have been lost due to wildfire.
David Ryder | Getty Images
Death toll expected to climb in coming days
Search and rescue personnel from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office look for the possible remains of a missing elderly resident in a mobile home park that was destroyed by wildfire on September 11, 2020 in Ashland, Oregon.
David Ryder | Getty Images
Resident surveys the remnants of her home
Resident Margi Wyatt arrives to find her mobile home destroyed by wildfire after she and her husband evacuated from the R.V. park earlier in the week, in Estacada, Oregon September 12, 2020.
Robyn Beck | AFP | Getty Images
The frame of a burned car is seen by the Oak Park Motel
The carcass of a burned car is seen by the Oak Park Motel destroyed by the flames of the Beachie Creek Fire in Gates, east of Salem, Oregon on September 13, 2020.
Rob Schumacher | AFP | Getty Images
Fire retardant seen from above over a destroyed homes
Red fire retardant blankets burned residences, vehicles and a swimming pool in the aftermath of the Almeda fire in Talent, Oregon, U.S., September 13, 2020.
Adrees Latif | Reuters
A family sifts through the debris of their home
The Webber family search for belongings through their home, which was gutted by the Almeda fire, in Talent, Oregon, U.S., September 13, 2020.
Adrees Latif | Reuters
Residents return to evacuated homes to find items looted
James Smith hugs his dog Rose after returning to his evacuated home to find looters had stolen his motorcycles, September 12, 2020 in Estacada, Oregon.
Robyn Beck | AFP | Getty Images
Downed power lines in a destroyed neighborhood
A downed power pole blocks a road in a neighborhood destroyed by wildfire on September 13, 2020 in Talent, Oregon. Hundreds of homes in Talent and nearby towns have been lost due to wildfire.
David Ryder | Getty Images
A resident surveys the remains of his home
A man surveys the damage to a home owned by his son in a mobile home park on September 11, 2020 in Ashland, Oregon.
David Ryder | Getty Images
A donations center is set up by volunteers at an evacuation site
A donation drop-off and pick-up station set up by volunteers is seen at an evacuation site in the parking lot of the Clackamas Town Center in Happy Valley, Oregon, on September 11, 2020.
Mattieu Lewis-Rolland | AFP | Getty Images
Heavy smoke fills the streets as a pedestrian crosses
A man walk around the town where about 10,000 residents were evacuated as the fire continues, in Molalla, Oregon, U.S., September 11, 2020.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
An angel figurine salvaged from a destroyed home
Don Bedford holds an angel figurine he salvaged from his girlfriends burnt home in a mobile home park on September 11, 2020 in Ashland, Oregon.
David Ryder | Getty Images
