Washington, D.C. – As an unprecedented number of devastating wildfires burn across the state this July, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden sent an urgent letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland calling for more firefighting resources to respond to the growing wildfire crisis.
Federal land management agencies are currently providing critical resources in Oregon, but as needs for the 2024 wildfire season grow rapidly—underscored by multiple Red Flag Warnings and temperatures repeatedly soaring past 100 degrees—the Senators are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to commit more resources to firefighting efforts.
“While we acknowledge the capacity challenge federal agencies face, please continue to work quickly to secure additional resources for Oregon,” wrote the Senators. “It is encouraging to hear that our region is currently the top priority for initial attack nationally and that international crews will help bolster our wearying crews.”
Merkley and Wyden’s urgent request for support comes after hearing directly from local officials and emergency personnel, particularly in Eastern Oregon. As one Incident Commander explained during a recent meeting, “everyone is stretched thin” across the state as multiple agencies are working diligently to protect people and property from both human-caused and lightning caused fires. Additionally, local volunteers are heroically beating back the fires while also watching their pastures burn and hoping their livestock can escape. Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are also admirably rising to the challenge to protect their communities, often defending their neighbors’ properties at risk to their own homes.
“The partnership, collaboration, and respect between the agency fire crews and leaders and the community staff and volunteers are impressive to watch, and without that partnership, we would undoubtedly face even more difficulties. We encourage your agencies to continue that level of cooperation,” the Senators continued.
Despite the incredible firefighting efforts, immense fires actively burning in Oregon have already caused extensive damage, with losses of residences, utility poles, wildlife, farmlands, as well as livestock and feed. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is expected to submit multiple requests for USDA Secretarial disaster declarations for areas of the state that have already experienced extreme losses.
“We urge you to expedite review of those appeals. Please also encourage continued support by your agency staff on the ground in Oregon, as their services and resources will be greatly needed by a wide range of rural communities devastated by these fires,” the Senators urged.
The Senators noted several more months of the intense wildfire season are projected, likely to be fueled by prolonged drought, risks of lightning strikes, as well as human-caused ignitions. Merkley and Wyden are at the ready to assist in ensuring federal and state agencies have the resources they need to respond and keep Oregon communities safe.
“We stand ready to work with you to continue to support wildfire prevention, response, and recovery for all Oregonians and appreciate your efforts thus far,” the Senators concluded.
Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.
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