The Cram fire burning in central Oregon is the largest wildfire in the nation as the Pacific Northwest sees an active start to the fire season. Why it matters: Thousands of acres have already been scorched and dozens of homes destroyed.

The Cram Fire exploded to 28,000 acres on July 15, shut down Highway 97 north of Madras and has degraded air quality in central Oregon.

A wildfire that started Sunday evening in Jefferson and Wasco counties has quickly grown to become the largest active wildfire in Oregon, according to Central Oregon Fire. The Cram fire, off of mile post 76 on Highway 97 near Willowdale and northeast of Pony Butte Road,