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The Jefferson Exchange

Oregon Wildfire Council Lays Out Some Options

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A ponderosa pine stand in the Ochoco National Forest, after thinning.
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region

One major outcome of the Oregon Governor's Council on Wildfire Response was a number: four billion.  That's the amount of money estimated to do all the work to make Oregon's forests more fire resistant, less prone to catastrophic fires. 

It's a big number, but still less than the estimates of damage if Oregon has more large and destructive fires.

So is Oregon and its people willing to put up huge dollars in the short term to avoid spending even more in the long term?  That will remain unanswered for now. 

We visit with two members of the council, State Rep. Pam Marsh of Ashland and Chris Chambers of Ashland Fire & Rescue.
 

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.