Board Of Forestry To Meet On Sept. 9 - Updated Agenda To Include Executive Session - 09/08/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. An Executive Session is scheduled immediately following the board meeting. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Fire season update
• Agency Request Budget 2027-29
• Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Performance Measures

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage.

The Executive Session will be closed to the public, except for members of the press who are permitted to attend by law. This Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection as well as pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

Signing up for live testimony is required. Instructions are available online. Written testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

ODF Asks Public To Remain Aware And Informed - 09/04/26

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to remind Oregonians that even with the weather shifting, Oregon is still in fire season. Several ODF districts have updated their fire danger level and restrictions recently. However, even with the rain, fuels remain dry and warm weather is expected to return next week.

“Typically, Oregon’s fire season doesn’t end until mid-October, and as we know the weather can change very quickly,” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “We are still seeing new fire starts throughout the state and fire regulations remain in place.”

Remember that if you are responsible for starting a wildfire in Oregon, you are liable for suppression costs. Remain aware and informed by checking your local fire restrictions and fire danger levels.

Wildfire prevention means:

• Debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon and is prohibited during fire season. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter. Visit beforeyouburn.net for real-time updates on burning regulations and safe burning practices.
• Check local restrictions before lighting a camp or warming fire to see if it is allowed.
• Never leave your campfire or warming fire unattended.
• Make sure your campfire or warming fire is OUT COLD. That means drowning it with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating that process until it is cold to touch. If there is any heat coming off the embers, then it can reignite later.
• Don’t park your car over dried grass, and make sure your vehicle or ATV is regularly serviced.
• Make sure your tow chains are not dragging. The metal hitting asphalt while driving can throw sparks into dry grass on the side of the road.

Visit keeporegongreen.org for more wildfire prevention tips.

Board Of Forestry Governance Committee Meets Sept. 8 - 09/02/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Board of Forestry Governance Committee will meet virtually at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. To join, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Board Self-Evaluation (Addendum G)

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged in advance of the meeting by emailing boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov.

Committee members include Ben Deumling, Heath Curtiss, and Liz Agpaoa.

This standing board committee recommends policies (or policy changes) to the board pertaining to governance issues and processes including the oversight and management of the Board Policy Manual, orientation and training of new board members, the evaluation and improvement of the board, the repository of board materials, and oversight of the written conflict of interest policies, procedures, and review of annual or special statements of board members. Learn more about the committee.

Emergency Fire Cost Committee Meets Sept. 8 - 08/31/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry at 2600 State Street in Salem. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) ending balance
• Financial status of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF)
• Weather update
• Administrative rule framework discussion
• Agency and Business Services Division report
• Protection Division report
• Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-881-8292 or by email at lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as a fund with the purpose of providing funds for fiscal year budgets of forest protection districts, investments in supplemental fire prevention, detection or suppression resources that enhance fire protection in the state and issuing loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations that relate to wildfire costs. View more information on the EFCC webpage.

Adaptive Management Program Committee Meets Sept. 3 - 08/27/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet virtually at noon on Thursday, Sept. 3. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Amphibians questions 1 & 2 into existing research agenda

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at adaptivemanagementprogram@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee The Adaptive Management Program Committee helps determine if forest practices are meeting their goals to protect natural resources through a science-based and transparent process. The committee sets the research agenda that the Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) implements. View more information on the AMPC webpage.

Board Of Forestry To Meet On Sept. 9 - 08/26/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Fire season update
• Agency Request Budget 2027-29
• Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Performance Measures

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage.

Signing up for live testimony is required. Instructions are available online. Written testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Learn more about the board.

Smoke Management Rulemaking Advisory Committee Meets Aug. 26 - 08/24/26

A series of rulemaking advisory committee meetings has been scheduled to discuss updates to the smoke management rules.

This will include multiple work sessions and opportunity for public comment.

The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26. There will be a period for public comment at 2 p.m. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. 

You can view the previous meetings on the website. More may be scheduled in the future. All meetings will be held virtually and are open to the public. 

Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting Shelby Berry at 503-949-5181.

Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee Meets Virtually On Aug. 21 - 08/14/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee meets virtually at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

Agenda items will include:

• Update on Performance Measures for Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan
• FTLAC upcoming meetings

Public comment is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting. To submit written comment, email ftlac.comment@odf.oregon.gov. Written comments sent at least 48 hours before the meeting will give the FTLAC time to review and consider information. Comments submitted after that window of time will be sent to the FTLAC after the meeting, entered into the record and posted online. Comments are not accepted after the meeting concludes.

The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee is comprised of seven county commissioners representing 15 Oregon counties where state forestlands are located. The FTLAC is a statutorily established committee that advises the Board of Forestry on matters related to forestland managed by ODF. View more information on the FTLAC webpage.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at ftlac.comment@odf.oregon.gov.

Oregon Department Of Forestry Deploys Incident Management Team To Fielder Mountain Fire - 08/14/26

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 1 to the ODF Southwest Oregon District to assume command of the Fielder Mountain Fire outside of Grants Pass.

The Fielder Mountain Fire originally began Thursday afternoon and quickly grew due to hot, windy conditions. The fire is in the foothills adjacent to the town of Rogue River and visible from I-5. The fire was last estimated to be 550 acres and burning in timber. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“Our top priorities in fighting this fire are limiting its growth, while protecting the surrounding communities and ensuring all our firefighters go home safe at the end of their shift,” said Dan Quinones, ODF Southwest Oregon District Forester.  

ODF CIMT 1 will in brief today at 12 p.m. and transfer command will be at 6 p.m. tonight.

For the latest evacuation information, follow the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.

“Every new spark matters and increases the risk to our communities, as well as our firefighters,” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “I am urging Oregonians to do their part. Check local fire restrictions, remain aware of weather conditions and stay up to date on emergency alerts.”

Check local fire restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

Oregon Department Of Forestry Deploys Incident Management Teams To Fires In Central Oregon (Photo) - 08/10/26

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) 3 to the ODF Central Oregon District to manage the Bologna and Cottonwood Fire near Kimberly, Oregon.

The Bologna Fire originally began July 16 and reignited yesterday. The Cottonwood Fire began last week and has been managed by a Type 3 Central Oregon Fire Management Service Team. Both fires are currently under investigation. ODF CIMT 3 will in brief today at 7 p.m. and will transfer command of the two fires at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Additionally, ODF has mobilized ODF CIMT 2 to the Rowe Creek Complex, which is also in ODF’s Central Oregon District and covers a large area of land between Prineville and Fossil, Oregon. A partial team has already arrived at the complex to support suppression efforts and the remainder of ODF CIMT 2 will arrive at the end of the week.

The Rowe Creek Complex has been an ongoing incident since July 15. As Southwest CIMT 2’s assignment ends, the fire is still in need of management support and ODF CIMT 2 is happy to fill that need. Transfer of command will be at 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 16.

“As a district, we’ve been spread incredibly thin this season, so we are happy to have the support of the complex incident management teams on these fires,” said Rob Pentzer, ODF Central Oregon District Forester.  

The fire information as of today is as follows:

• Rowe Creek Complex: 371,549 acres, 84% contained
• Bologna : 3,860 acres, 30% contained
• Cottonwood: 723 acres, 45% contained

Evacuations are in effect for these fires. Follow the local county sheriff’s office for more up-to-date evacuation information and sign up for emergency alerts at ORalert.gov.

“This has been a rough season so far and we’re not even halfway” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “It is so important right now that every Oregonian please do their part and prevent the next human-caused fire.”

As firefighters continue to work to suppress wildfires, reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires. Follow local regulations currently in place: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx. Remain aware and informed.