Wildfires

NW Lawmakers Look To Expand Forest Landscape Restoration
NW Lawmakers Look To Expand Forest Landscape Restoration
NW Lawmakers Look To Expand Forest Landscape Restoration
On Thursday, Idaho senator Mike Crapo and Oregon’s Jeff Merkley announced the introduction of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2025.  They say this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and expand the CFLR program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management.  The lawmakers said...
USDA Acts to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire Risk
USDA Acts to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire Risk
USDA Acts to Boost Timber Production, Reduce Wildfire Risk
USDA announced $23 million in grants to support transporting hazardous fuels, such as dead or downed trees, from national forests to processing facilities.  Through the USDA Forest Service’s Hazardous Fuels Transportation Program, these grants will reduce the hazardous fuels that pose wildfire threats to communities, critical infrastructure and recreation areas.  Unlike high-v...
Could Lottery Dollars Be Used To Fight Oregon Wildfires?
Could Lottery Dollars Be Used To Fight Oregon Wildfires?
Could Lottery Dollars Be Used To Fight Oregon Wildfires?
Oregon lawmakers are trying to find a regular source of funding to pay for fighting wildfires.  Fighting wildfires across the state costs around $300 million annually.  The Legislature is trying to find a regular source to pay that bill, instead of relying only on the general fund.  State Senator Fre...
Oregon Looks At How To Fund Wildfire Efforts
Oregon Looks At How To Fund Wildfire Efforts
Oregon Looks At How To Fund Wildfire Efforts
State lawmakers are looking for new ways to fund wildland firefighting efforts in Oregon.  2024 was a record year for the size and cost of wildfires across the Beaver State.  Doug Graf, Governor Tina Kotek’s advisor on wildfire prevention, told lawmakers last week they can't keep going to the general fund.   "The sustainable...
Merkley Worries Wildfire Funding Could Be Cut
Merkley Worries Wildfire Funding Could Be Cut
Merkley Worries Wildfire Funding Could Be Cut
The Trump Administration says it's reviewing federal spending, in an effort to cut waste, and that has some Oregon lawmakers concerned about what MIGHT be deemed wasteful.  With the ongoing threat of cuts to federal programs and funding, Oregon stands to lose millions in anticipated payments.  U....
Kotek Calls Special Session To Address Wildfire Season
Kotek Calls Special Session To Address Wildfire Season
Kotek Calls Special Session To Address Wildfire Season
On Tuesday, Governor Tina Kotek called a special session of the Oregon Legislature.  Slated to start Thursday December 12th, the session will allow lawmakers to appropriate funds to pay for the historic 2024 wildfire season.  A record 1.9 million acres bur...
Newhouse Applauds Passage Of Fix Our Forests
Newhouse Applauds Passage Of Fix Our Forests
Newhouse Applauds Passage Of Fix Our Forests
In a bipartisan vote last week, the House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act to restore forest health and increase resiliency to catastrophic wildfires.  Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse applauded the measure and said it’s an important first step in protecting the forest and fighting forest fires.   “Every summe...
Oregon Wildfires Set Records In Size, Price
Oregon Wildfires Set Records In Size, Price
Oregon Wildfires Set Records In Size, Price
Following this year's record fire season in Oregon, legislators are looking ahead to what's next.  Statewide, 1.9 million acres burned in 2024.  State Senator Lynn Findley recently praised a new effort by the State Fire Marshal to send task forces to protect buildings.   "One of th...
Oregon Officials Say This the New Norm For Fires
Oregon Officials Say This the New Norm For Fires
Oregon Officials Say This the New Norm For Fires
This has been a record setting year for wildfires in Oregon, and fire officials say it's the new norm.  Kyle Williams, director of forest protection for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said he thought this was going to be an average year for wildfires, until the heat wave.   ...

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