Oregon Wildfire Response Council Created To Improve Effectiveness

SALEM, OR – Gov. Kate Brown says that Oregon needs to do more to study how the state deals with wildfires. On Wednesday, she announced the creation of the Oregon Wildfire Response Council.

"Oregon's firefighting approach leads the nation in effectiveness," Brown said in a statement announcing that sh had issued an executive order creating the council.

"However, wildfire dynamics are changing and it is never too soon to evaluate the approach to wildfire education, prevention, suppression, attack, and community recovery."

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Brown says that the council will issue its report in Sept. 2019 with recommendations on steps to be taken to improve the state's response.

Oregon is coming off a 2018 wildfire season that was among the worst in years.

There were 219 lightning-caused fires that burned 58,744 acres, and 836 fires caused by humans that resulted in 26,806 acres burned.

The total acres burned was more than double Oregon's 10-year average.

"With numerous large fires and limited resources across the nation, the 2018 fire season brought real challenges," Oregon Department of Forestry Interim Deputy Chief for Fire Operations, Russ Lane, said after the season ended.

Brown hopes that the council's recommendations will help ease those challenges.

Photo via Oregon Department of Forestry.