SALEM, Ore. (NewsNation Now) — Authorities in Oregon say more than 20 people remain missing from the wildfires burning across the state.
Gov. Kate Brown said Monday that at least 10 people are confirmed dead and that the number would likely rise as more confirmations come in from local law enforcement and medical authorities.
Andrew Phelps, director of Oregon’s office of Emergency Management, said at a news conference that 22 people are still listed as missing. He said work is continuing to locate people and update lists.
Not all people listed as missing are later found dead. The Jackson County Sheriff’s office in southern Oregon said only one person was still accounted for from a blaze there over the weekend that 50 people were initially unaccounted for.
Brown said Monday she has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for Oregon as it battles the wildfires.
Brown said at a news briefing that the state “has been pushed to its limits.”
A major disaster declaration would allow a range of federal help for people and public infrastructure affected by the blazes that have destroyed hundreds of homes and burned about 998,400 acres.