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With temperatures still rising over the Labor Day weekend, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reminded Oregonians that fire season has a long way to go before it’s over.
Fire Season In Oregon Above Average
This year so far, 1.5 million acres have already burned across Oregon compared with the 10-year average burned in an entire fire season of 640,000 acres. The western side of Oregon got more of a break this summer as most of the aggressive activity has been in eastern Oregon.
Oregon Gets Help Protecting Communities From Fires
With around 5,000 firefighters currently dispatched across the state, they have worked for almost two months straight and are experiencing fatigue.
Kotek said that the state has been able to protect a lot of communities but the team has been pushed to the brink this season. She also predicts that fire seasons are not going to get easier and Orgeon must figure out how to have consistent funding to do the necessary work.
Kotek confirmed that Oregon received approval for seven FEMA grants that will provide help in the form of significant levels of reimbursement. Other states and even other countries like Australia and New Zealand have sent help to Oregon.
Even though September has arrived, no debris burns are allowed with fire season still in full swing.
You can check out the Oregon active fires map here.
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