Three proposals to boost wildfire funding this session have died, though one bill, to protect wildfire survivor settlements, is on its way to Gov. Kotek
Tag: WILDFIRE
Property fee cut from controversial wildfire funding proposal, but big timber could still get break
A controversial wildfire funding proposal has changed in recent days. It’s sponsors will no longer ask all Oregon property owners to pay $10 a year to help offset fire protection costs on forest and ranch landowners.
Timber industry tied to proposal shifting wildfire protection costs from landowners to public
Several Oregon timber companies participated in a workgroup and proposal that would cut the fees they pay to the state for fire protection.
State program helps hundreds of households affected by 2020 Labor Day fires, but needs remain
State officials have spent or accounted for a $150 million wildfire recovery program from the Legislature though victims of the Labor Day blazes are far from whole.
As wildfires grow, poor, elderly disproportionately affected
People exposed to wildfires in Oregon and other western states are more likely to live in mobile homes and have disabilities, a new study found.
Cause of Vitae Springs Fire ruled ‘undetermined’ a year later
Residents in the area of the 2022 Vitae Springs Fire said at the time that evacuation alerts left them confused and uncertain about conditions. City officials say now they have improved their emergency messaging system since the southwest Salem fire to provide quicker and clearer public information.
Liberty Fire contained after burning 25 acres, threatening hundreds of homes
A fast-spreading grass fire that came close to south Salem subdivisions Wednesday was controlled within hours thanks to help from a nearby construction crew, air support and over 100 firefighters. Fire crews are monitoring the area as Salem’s forecast calls for high temperatures and low humidity in the coming days.
Oregon emergency officials look to 2020 wildfires for lessons learned
State officials said more needs to be done to share data between agencies when responding to wildfires so survivors see fewer delays and don’t have to repeat their stories dozens of times.
As Oregon fires rage, Chavez-DeRemer joins push for higher firefighter pay
Federal wildland firefighters received temporary raises last year that are set to expire at the end of September. A bipartisan group is pushing to make raises permanent.
Oregon Gov. Kotek, fire officials say wet winter could delay wildfires, but drought persists
A heat wave will bring temperatures in the 90s to the Willamette Valley and other parts of the state later this week.