The Oregon State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients of the 2025 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant, now in its fourth year. The program provides up to $35,000 to local fire agencies to hire additional firefighters during wildfire season. This year, more than 1,500 seasonal firefighters will be added across 200 local agencies. The effort is aimed at supporting emergency responses, especially in areas that depend on volunteer crews, as reported by the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Coburg Fire District Chief Chad Minter said, “The OSFM wildfire season staffing grants have greatly improved our response capabilities and those in neighboring districts.” He explained that the grant allows the district to staff a wildland engine with two additional firefighters each day during fire season. These firefighters respond to all fires and also support five nearby districts.
The Oregon legislature has allocated $6 million for this year’s Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program. Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said, “The Wildfire Season Staffing Grant is one of our most impactful tools to help local fire agencies respond to emergencies faster, protect communities, and support each other through mutual aid.” The grant program, launched in 2022, supports local fire agencies with emergency response, recruitment, training, outreach, and prevention. More information and a list of this year’s recipients are available on the state’s grant program webpage.
