Oregon, wildfire

Oregon lawmakers hold special session on emergency wildfire funding
Oregon lawmakers were convening Thursday for a special session to discuss emergency funding to pay out millions in unpaid bills stemming from the state’s 2024 record wildfire season. As wildfires still rage in California,
Oregon lawmakers approve $218 million to fund bill from record-breaking wildfire season
Last summer's historic wildfire season brought record-high costs upwards of $350 million, placing Oregon agencies in a deep financial hole.
Oregon Legislature approves spending $218 million to cover unpaid wildfire bills
Gov. Kotek called the special session to free up money to pay hundreds of contractors involved in the wildfire season that burned 1.9 million acres.
Oregon looks to special session to pay 100s of vendors millions of $$$ for wildfire costs
The Oregon Department of Forestry still owes hundreds of vendors more than $98 million for costs incurred during this year's wildfire season.
Oregon isn’t paying its wildfire bills on time. Now legislators must act
The company has worked on wildfires for decades, and Miller says the state routinely pays its bills within 45 days. But this year, some of Miller’s invoices have sat unpaid for double that. Meanwhile, credit he’s taken out to pay his roughly 250 employees for their work on the fires is coming due.
Gov. Kotek signs $218 million wildfire funding bill, passed by Oregon lawmakers in one-day special session
Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday signed Senate Bill 5801, passed in Thursday’s legislative special session, that allocates $218 million to the Department of Forestry and the Oregon State Fire Marshal to pay for costs associated with the 2024 wildfire season.
Oregon approves $218M in emergency wildfire funding
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.
Oregon lawmakers approve rush of wildfire funds in speedy emergency session
The emergency spending will free up the Oregon Department of Forestry and Office of State Fire Marshal — the two state agencies that predominantly tackle wildfires — to pay contractors who sent machinery and manpower to battle this year’s blazes and support firefighting teams, but have sat unpaid for months.
Oregon lawmakers to vote on funds to pay off debts for historic 2024 wildfire season
The Oregon Department of Forestry had more than 1,800 outstanding invoices totaling $98 million at the beginning of December.
Oregon lawmakers pass funding to cover costs of 2024 wildfire season
On Thursday, during a special session, Oregon lawmakers passed the funding to cover the high cost of this year’s wildfire season.
Oregon Legislature overwhelmingly approves wildfire funding
The Oregon Legislature overwhelmingly approved $218 in additional funding on Dec. 12 to cover the 2024 fire season, including to pay firefighting crews waiting months for compensation after keeping communities safe.
Daily on Energy: Oregon eyes wildfire funding, solar industry lays out agenda, and Democrats want investigation into alleged Exxon hacking operation
Good afternoon and happy Thursday, readers! In today’s edition of Daily on Energy, Callie and Maydeen take a look at the ...
Here’s how to cut your own Christmas tree in one of Oregon’s national forests
For just $5 — and a little effort — you can find your Christmas tree in one of Oregon’s national forests. The U.S. Forest ...
Wildfire smoke affecting many U.S. cities, including in Midwest, East Coast
Heavy smoke from wildfires more frequently chokes the skies over the Western United States, but cities farther to the east ...
KTVZ5d
‘I think it’s critically important’: Forest Service curbing wildfire risk west side of Highway 97
The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District is starting to clear bush from hundreds of acres near the Deschutes River Woods community ...