In a move aiming to bolster the fight against the increasingly devastating wildfires in Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek has put her signature on House Bill 3349, an act empowering the Oregon Department of Forestry to pass on much-needed firefighting gear to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs). These local groups, made up largely of volunteers, serve as the first responders to wildfires in rural communities of Eastern and Central Oregon. The legislation, detailed in a press release by Governor Kotek's office, marks a pivotal step toward providing better resources to combat the region's wildfire emergency.
As Oregon grapples with wildfires of unprecedented size, Governor Kotek emphasized the critical function RFPAs have and will continue to have. "We're facing larger fires than ever before in eastern Oregon and across our state," Governor Kotek said. The RFPAs, comprised of vigilant landowners, are getting legislative reinforcements to aid in the stewardship of fire-threatened territories. Representative Mark Owens, representing Crane and the rurality inherent to the fire line's front, pointed out, "In rural Oregon, wildfire response often starts with neighbors, not sirens." With their fingers tracing the pulse of their land, Owens illustrated how HB 3349 cements them within the rangeland's protective framework, per the Governor's Office.
The original announcement clarifies that, before this legislative advancement, RFPAs were left without a direct channel to acquire excess vehicles and supplies from the ODF. This posed a significant challenge to the associations, which cover an expansive 17.6 million acres. HB 3349 opens the door for equipment transfer and establishes the Rangeland Protection Association Fund, buoyed by an injection of $1 million to fuel the association's critical firefighting missions.
