OREGON A8 — THE OBSERVER Progress made against U.S. fi res The Associated Press BLY — Firefi ghters in Oregon reported good prog- ress in the battle against the nation’s largest wildfi re, while authorities canceled evacuation orders near a major blaze in Northern California and another on Hawaii’s Big Island. Containment of the Bootleg Fire in remote Southern Oregon was up to 84% late Sunday, Aug. 1. It was 56% contained a day earlier. “That refl ects several good days of work on the ground where crews have been able to reinforce and build additional contain- ment lines,” fi re spokesman Al Nash said. The blaze has scorched more than 646 square miles since being sparked by lightning July 6 in the Fre- mont-Winema National Forest. California’s Dixie Fire covered nearly 388 square miles in mountains where 42 homes and other build- ings have been destroyed. The fi re was 33% con- tained Aug. 1, and evacu- ation orders and warnings had earlier been lifted for several areas of Butte and Plumas counties. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation. Authorities warned that with unpredictable winds and extremely dry fuels, the risk of fl are-ups remained high. In recent days, lightning sparked two wildfi res that threatened remote homes in California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Evacuation warnings remained in place Sunday for communities along the Trinity River. In Montana, a wind- driven wildfi re destroyed more than a dozen homes, outbuildings and other structures, authorities said Aug. 1. Evacuations were ordered after fl ames jumped a highway and moved toward communities near Flathead Lake in the north- western part of the state. Crews also battled major blazes in Northeastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Nearly 22,000 fi re- fi ghters and support per- sonnel were battling 91 large, active wildfi res cov- ering 2,813 square miles in mostly western states, the National Interagency Fire Center said. A historic drought and recent heat waves tied to climate change have made wildfi res harder to fi ght in the American West. Sci- entists say climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will con- tinue to make weather more extreme and wildfi res more frequent and destructive. The U.S. Drought Mon- itor reported last week that while a monsoon has delivered rainfall to the Southwest, critically dry conditions persist across Northern California and the Northwest, where there has been an expansion of “exceptional drought,” the worst category. Dry conditions and winds made for dangerous fi re conditions in Hawaii. A wind advisory was issued Sunday for portions of Lanai, Maui and the Big Island. A fast-moving wild- fi re on Hawaii’s Big Island grew to 62.5 square miles, prompting mandatory evac- uation orders. Those orders — which forced thou- sands of residents out of their homes — were lifted Sunday evening. However, authorities told residents to remain alert. “County offi cials ask all residents of the aff ected areas to only return home if absolutely necessary,” Hawaii County spokes- person Cyrus Johnasen said. TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021 Gov. Kate Brown plans to veto two bills bility over implementing Medicaid policies. Sponsors plan to submit a revised bill. The governor also plans to veto House Bill 2646. That legislation would bar Oregonians younger By ANNA GRIFFIN Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown intends to veto two bills approved during the recent Oregon Legislature session. Brown’s offi ce announced Sunday, Aug. 1, that she will reject Senate Bill 721, which would change the way members are selected for a consumer advisory council that helps the Oregon Health Authority deal with mental health and substance abuse. The bill would allow members of the advisory council to select future members and refi nes its advisory role in an attempt to ensure con- sumers have a voice in how mental health and The Associated Press, File substance abuse policies are crafted and enforced. The governor’s offi ce says the legislation is well intentioned, but contra- dicts federal law, which prohibits the Oregon Health Authority from delegating its responsi- Plenty to do at SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT TODAY! GRANDE 877-557-1912 PROTECTING our Residents during this Pandemic 1809 Gekeler Ln. La Grande Ronde 7-Year Extended Warranty* A $695 Value! 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