JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Jackson County Sheriff, Sheriff Nathan Sickler, announced charges today against 41-year-old Michael Jarrod Bakkela relating to at least one portion of the devastating Almeda fire.

According to the Sheriff, Bakkela was arrested and charged with 2 counts of Arson, 15 counts of Criminal Mischief (1) and 14 counts of Reckless Endangering.

These charges are in relation to the Almeda Fire and its origin point in the Pheonix area, it does not include the additional point of origin in Ashland.

On Tuesday, authorities responded to reports of suspicious activity and a man starting a fire near Quail Lane and Barnum Drive in Pheonix.

Upon their arrival, deputies found Bakkela standing near a large fire that was threatening nearby homes. Bakkela was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire and held for violation of probation. Further investigation led to his being charged.

This is a developing story -- more information will continue to be provided.

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and federal partners are working together to respond to the devastating wildfires that continue to affect tens of thousands of people. As firefighters continue to work tirelessly in extreme conditions and emergency responders remain focused on saving lives, FEMA and OEM are staging resources and coordinating additional support for evacuees and affected communities.

“Many Oregonians are suffering right now, whether displaced themselves or worried about loved ones, friends, neighbors, homes, and communities,” said Governor Kate Brown. “We’re working collaboratively to throw everything we can at this crisis, bringing together local, state, and federal capacity. We are doing everything we can to ensure that our heroic firefighters working around the clock to save lives and homes have the tools, resources, and support they need.”

Although Thursday’s federal Emergency Declaration does not provide direct financial assistance to individuals, resources are available for evacuees and individuals affected by wildfires. Non-congregate (locations where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy, such as hotels, motels, or dormitories) and traditional sheltering (such as American Red Cross shelters) are being provided in Oregon through the American Red Cross and other entities.

FEMA and federal partners continue to provide technical assistance to OEM on several fronts including Urban Search and Rescue (US&R), sheltering, feeding, reunification, housing, and mental health support. Two large US&R teams are also deployed to the state, with K9 search capabilities.

Federal resources and support are provided under the authority of a federal Emergency Declaration. In addition, federal funding is provided through Fire Management Assistant Grants (FMAGs) to assist with fire suppression in Oregon. FEMA Regional Administrator Michael O’Hare has approved a total of 16 FMAGs for Oregon this fire season, 14 of them this week.

OEM and FEMA urge the public to update information on their status on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website, seek shelter and stay informed. An Oregon Wildfire Resource Website has been created to help Oregonians stay informed at wildfire.oregon.gov. For temporary sheltering needs, Oregon wildfire survivors can find locations available at www.RedCross.org/shelter.

Public safety is the number one priority. Residents are asked to heed all orders from local officials.

At this time, the best way to support the communities is to provide financial donations to relief organizations actively responding to these disasters. For verified disaster relief organizations, please refer to Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD) at www.orvoad.org.