Oregon likely will face an above-average risk of wildfires by July and August, with fire risks peaking in September and October, said Doug Grafe, the governor’s wildfire programs adviser, at a press conference Wednesday.
Chris Cline, fire protection chief for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said that the agency is preparing by hiring a seasonal staff of fire prevention experts — a task that Cline said has become increasingly difficult as the state struggles to attract temporary employees and volunteer firefighters, especially in rural Oregon.
“It’s becoming very problematic,” Cline said. “In a time of prolonged temperature and climate change ... the need increases, yet the available personnel across the workforce decreases.”
State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said that declining volunteerism has been an ongoing concern for her department and other state agencies.
To help round out Oregon’s firefighting force during the crucial summer months, Ruiz-Temple said she has awarded grant money through Oregon Senate Bill 762 to fire departments across the state.
According to a press release provided by the marshal’s office, Ruiz-Temple awarded $6 million to 191 fire departments across Oregon. She said that the grants, which have been awarded for the past three years, typically allow local fire departments to hire over 1,500 seasonal firefighters.
Cline said that the forestry department is also working to reduce the amount of flammable material that could become fuel for wildfires if and when they break out.
He said that the department is implementing prescribed burns, including one near Bend on Wednesday, ahead of the fire season.
Grafe also stressed individual Oregonians’ role in preventing wildfires.
“Oregonians should prepare for fire season by preparing their yards, or by establishing defensible space to protect their homes, being prepared for evacuations, having a plan for smoke incidents and above all, helping to prevent fires before they start,” he said.
— Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
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