Wildfire

When wildfires burned through Oregon last fall, many people didn’t receive a local emergency alert or evacuation message, which left them scrambling to evacuate safely. State officials have since approved a new emergency alert system meant to fix that.

Gov. Kate Brown Thursday toured areas burned by last year’s Almeda Fire in Jackson County.

At a hearing Wednesday, Oregon lawmakers heard numerous allegations of mismanagement in the state's efforts to remove hazardous trees along roads and properties that burned in last year's wildfires. They also heard pleas from concerned residents to stop the excessive tree-cutting.

Gov. Kate Brown toured one of the Rogue Valley’s forest restoration projects Wednesday as part of a tour of the region.

UPDATE: Meetings postponed

With torches, grinders, and a gift for bringing new dimensions to old metal, sculptor Jud Turner is crafting a monument to survivors of the Holiday Farm Fire. It burned 173,000 acres in the McKenzie River Corridor last September, leveling towns like Blue River.

Local Soil & Water District gets on board

Klamath County has purchased a motel to turn into transitional housing. Officials are considering saving space in anticipation of wildfire season.

Wildfire victims would not have to pay taxes on the cost of rebuilding their homes under a bill approved Friday in the Oregon House.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have reached an agreement to spend $536 million on wildfire prevention after last year’s record-setting fire season.