Wildfire funding

A state report shows this year’s wildfire season has already outpaced 2024’s final net costs by about $35 million.

The findings took into account socioeconomic issues beyond other methodologies considering environmental factors for wildfire risk.

Sen. Ron Wyden spoke with state foresters in Medford about what to expect for the upcoming wildfire season.

Ashland Sen. Jeff Golden is trying again to get the Legislature to create a fund to pay for natural disasters with damages collected from big oil.

The Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative helps Jackson, Josephine and Klamath County students understand wildfire science.

California lawmakers passed a six-bill climate and energy package extending cap and trade to 2045, expanding the state’s wildfire fund, approving new oil drilling, and opening the door to a regional power market.

Gov. Tina Kotek warns of worsening fire conditions as summer continues.

Hundreds of fires have been quickly contained thanks to early-season support, but officials warn demand could grow soon for crews and equipment.

The measure, House Bill 3940, would tax oral nicotine products and tap the interest on Oregon’s rainy day savings account and put the money toward wildfire mitigation.

Desperate for money to get through the next two wildfire seasons and with few proposals on the table that could meet costs and get passed by the Oregon Legislature, Gov. Tina Kotek is proposing to skim some money off of the state’s “rainy day fund.”

Gov. Tina Kotek has signaled her support for potentially using some of the kicker or other one-time funding to invest in wildfire work across the state.

But there is a glimmer of hope: Federal firefighting managers said their workforce is about where it needs to be for the fire season ahead, despite the Trump administration’s efforts.