A spokeswoman for Oregon Housing and Community Services said a low risk tolerance and inexperience in major disaster recovery by the agency has slowed the rollout of federal aid following the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.
The Oregon Department of Forestry deployed 22 firefighters Friday to Canada and three states in what the agency said would be their "last big out-of-state resource push" until rains return this fall.
Manning residents in 2023. Cherry Grove residents in 2024. Areas less than two miles from Gales Creek in 2022. Evacuations in recent years due to wildfires have become more commonplace in western Washington County. Do you know what the three evacuation levels are?
Banks Fire District Defensible Space Coordinator Capt. Scott Arlin will host the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Washington County Emergency Management, and federal agencies Thursday, June 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hornshuh Creek Fire Station in Buxton.
The 2025 fire season is projected to be more intense than the 2024 season fire leaders said, but emergency response agencies have begun preparing early.
The Oregon Department of Forestry dispatched a crew of 26 Oregon firefighters and two agency representatives to North Carolina to aid the state's battle against several wildfires.
Most of Oregon's fire crews sent earlier this month to California, including four Banks firefighters, are returning after two weeks. Banks sent Officer Victor Haney, Lt. Julie Kemper and firefighters Jaxon Herrman and Samantha Linz along with Engine 15 to California.
The Oregon Department of Forestry is sending six strike teams of firefighters and equipment to California, on the heels of 12, then 15, strike teams dispatched by the Oregon State Fire Marshal Wednesday morning.
Wildfires burning near Los Angeles, Calif. have burned hundreds of homes, killed at least two people, and prompted thousands of evacuations. Now, Oregon is sending twelve strike teams to help, including a four-person crew from the Banks Fire District.
The state spent more than $350 million responding to more than 2,000 wildfires in 2024, far exceeding projected costs and leaving some contractors unpaid.
Gov. Tina Kotek has appealed to the Biden administration to declare a disaster in Oregon to provide funding for ranchers, businesses and community members who suffered a historic fire season this year.
