As Oregonians steel themselves for the upcoming wildfire season, Governor Tina Kotek, alongside state agency leaders, addressed the public with a briefing on the preparations in place and the necessary steps residents should take to mitigate risk. The governor signed a proclamation, designating May as Wildfire Awareness Month, emphasizing the escalation and elongation of recent wildfire seasons in the West, according to an official press release.
"Record-setting wildfire seasons across the west are getting longer and more devastating. What we know to be an 'average fire season' has long passed," Governor Kotek said in the release. She issued a call to action for state residents, urging preparations such as knowing local fire danger levels, creating defensible space around homes, and adhering to fire restrictions. The efforts are not just to protect individual properties but to also support first responders and frontline workers who put their lives on the line during fire emergencies.
The briefing was held at the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Cache, home to essential firefighting equipment and supplies. Officials anticipate that the first half of Oregon’s 2025 fire season may present hotter and drier conditions than normal. In 2024, the state battled a historical 1,956 fires, which consumed over 1.9 million acres, signaling an undeniable trend towards more intense fire activity each year.
Agencies such as ODF and the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are cranking up their response strategies, building upon early detection initiatives like the Multi-Mission Aircraft and Wildfire Detection Camera Program. These strategies enabled ODF to confine 93 percent of their fires to under 10 acres last year. Furthermore, OSFM has fortified its Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) and deployed 76 new structural protection fire engines to local departments. Governor Kotek's briefing showcased these efforts and emphasized the importance of preparing communities to be more resilient through defensible space assessments and community involvement.
Oregonians are encouraged to take proactive steps such as cleaning roofs and gutters of combustible materials, moving flammable substances away from homes, and preparing evacuation routes. These small actions, as noted by Governor Kotek, can have a significant impact on protecting lives and properties. Residents can also stay informed about local air quality smoke conditions by following the Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Now program, which offers valuable insights into smoke and air quality levels throughout wildfire season.
