Gov. Tina Kotek now supports withholding $1B of Oregon’s ‘kicker’ for wildfire costs
Even if Democrats agree on such a move, a vote to suspend the kicker would require two Republican votes in the 30-member Senate and four in the 60-member House.
In The News
Wildfires and air quality information hub
Comprehensive news coverage and essential resources to help you stay informed and safe during wildfire events in the Pacific Northwest. Have questions or tips? Contact us at opbnews@opb.org.
Latest stories
An architect of Oregon’s wildfire map on why he now supports repealing it
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After Oregon’s devastating 2020 Labor Day fires, the Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to lead to more wildfire awareness and resilience. But the resulting map led to a huge backlash from property owners – a backlash so strong that a few weeks ago, the state Senate voted unanimously to eliminate it.
Oregon Legislature on track to repeal controversial wildfire risk map
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After the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill that was supposed to lead to more wildfire awareness and resilience. It created a map of areas at high risk of fire. But that map led to a huge backlash from property owners. Now one of the democratic state senators who helped create the map is sponsoring a bill that would repeal it. We’ll talk to Jeff Golden, who represents the Ashland area, about why — and what should happen instead.
Fire and smoke map
This interactive map allows you to see where fires are burning and the latest smoke outlooks. Click on a marker on the map to see more information.
Resources
Fire season glossary: Important wildfire terms and their definitions
Firefighting speak and jargon are hard to sift through when trying to stay informed on wildfires and their characteristics. This glossary provides a list of official fire-related terms and their definitions.
How to prepare for wildfire smoke
Oregonians should be prepared for poor air quality and possibly evacuations as wildfire season ramps up. Here's what to know.
Here’s who is most at risk from wildfire smoke and how to protect yourself
As hazy air from fires out West wafts across the country, some people are at higher risk of health problems, including children, older people and those with lung conditions. Here's how to stay safe.
Critical wildfire reporting and all of OPB's journalism is made possible by members.
More stories
Pacific Northwest leaders urge action as wildfire season nears without federal support
Trump administration funding cuts and a loss of federal workers who help support wildland firefighting continues to make planning for the upcoming wildfire season a challenge, according to forest and fire officials in Washington state and Oregon.
Oregon’s in store for a bad wildfire season. But state officials aren’t worried about federal staffing
While there may be chilly days ahead this spring, Kotek warned: “Fire season is here.”
Climate-fueled wildfires contributed to thousands of US deaths over 15 years, study says, with highest in Oregon and California
The annual range of deaths was 130 to 5,100, the study showed, with the highest in states such as Oregon and California.
State partners with insurance industry to help Oregon homeowners with wildfire prevention
A new partnership between the Oregon State Fire Marshal and a wildfire nonprofit could help Oregonians harden their homes and keep insurance.
Oregon and Washington could be in for another destructive wildfire season
The outlook for the 2025 wildfire season in Oregon and Washington looks a lot like 2024, with high temperatures and limited precipitation likely.
Oregon wildfire funding takes legislative back seat as lawmakers grapple with federal cuts
Earlier this year, Oregon lawmakers seemed driven to pass wildfire funding legislation. But a lot has changed in the first few months of the session, particularly with regard to federal policy.
