SALEM, Ore. - As wildfire increasingly impacts communities across the state, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is working with communities to improve their resilience through newly awarded grant funds. The OSFM awarded $3 million to 40 communities across the state to create defensible space and other wildfire risk reduction projects.
Earlier this year, local fire agencies, cities, and counties applied for the grant. The OSFM received 58 applications totaling $4.1 million, highlighting the critical need for funding for these projects. Agencies are in the process of accepting awards.
The historic 2024 wildfire season revealed the importance of defensible space and reducing risk. More than 1.9 million acres burned but despite these unprecedented conditions, structure loss and damage were minimal. Every loss is hard and minimizing these losses is a priority for first responders.
The summer of 2024 also showed the critical need for the OSFM and our partners to continue that work as Oregon grapples with the growing wildfire crisis.
“We’ve been working diligently along with our partners over the last few years to create locally driven solutions to the wildfire crisis,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “I am excited to see the progress we have made and how this grant will build on the progress in communities across the state.”
The projects funded include things like creating fire-resistant landscapes around residential, commercial, and municipal buildings or other critical infrastructure; locally managed cleanup days, debris disposal days, or chipper programs; fuel mitigation on county properties or parks; and communitywide fire breaks or greenways that directly protect vulnerable communities or critical infrastructure.
The OSFM is dedicated to finding funding solutions to continue these projects. Defensible space is not a one-time project; it requires continuous attention and upkeep to help keep our communities safe from wildfire.
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal incident management team sent to North Carolina in mid-October will return home at the end of the week after a two-week deployment. The team was in Yancey County helping with Hurricane Helene recovery.
Oregon Incident Commander Lance Lighty and Plans Section Chief Bill Boos will replace departing personnel to ensure a seamless transition in leadership and maintain strong support for North Carolina’s ongoing recovery operations. Lighty will take command from Incident Commander Ian Yocum, leading the OSFM’s continued assistance efforts.
The incoming OSFM team members traveled Tuesday. After arrival, they will shadow the current team and take over command the following day, marking the next phase of the OSFM's support in North Carolina.
"Our team is honored to contribute to the community’s continued recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene," Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. "The commitment and expertise of our incident management teams reflect Oregon’s dedication to supporting others in times of need."
The OSFM has three all-hazard incident management teams. They typically respond to help communities when they are impacted by wildfire. The team was ordered through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states.