According to a recent press release from U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Wyden has been pushing the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture for clear plans on firefighting.
This has become increasingly important over recent years as Oregon has developed, rather than a summer season, a “wildfire season.” The questions asked by Wyden come ahead of Thursday’s U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resource Committee hearing on the Forest Service budget.
“Oregon is still struggling to rebuild after two, back-to-back horrific fire seasons… Another fire season like this would further devastate our communities as well as our firefighters, who risk their lives and tear themselves away from their homes and families every summer to protect Oregon’s treasured landscapes,” Wyden wrote to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Additionally, Wyden urged the agencies to, “bring wildland firefighters the pay rates, career development, and health care, especially mental health, support they deserve.”
Wyden requested the following:
- Please provide an update with specifics on how the wildfire prevention and suppression funds from the IIJA have been allocated and dispersed to the field thus far, including how the funding amounts to each region were determined.
- How many acres in Oregon will be treated using funds authorized by IIJA [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]? Following this and related investments, how many acres will need to be treated to address the hazardous fuels backlog on the landscape?
- How do your departments plan on achieving these strategies when there are 20% vacancy rates for permanent wildland fire positions in Oregon? What plans are in place to fill these positions? What areas of Oregon have been identified as “difficult to recruit” and have any of your agencies used IIJA hiring incentives? If not, will you use those incentives this summer?
- How do you plan on retaining and reforming your workforce structure in light of the ever increasing length of wildfire season – coupled with the increased goals of fuel treatment acres?
- What is the status of the distinct ‘Wildland Firefighter occupational series? When can we expect that to be rolled out so these brave people can be recognized and compensated for putting their lives on the line every summer – instead of being labeled as a Forestry Technician?
- What additional steps have your departments and agencies taken to prevent another season where interagency requests for wildland firefighting crews and engines go unfilled due to insufficient personnel?
- How have your departments and agencies coordinated with local fire departments in Oregon in preparation for the 2022 fire season?
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
By Ethan Hauck
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