Oregon Senator Pledges to Fight for Wildfire Prevention Funding and Better Pay for Firefighters

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden has red-flagged wildfire prevention as a top priority for the upcoming federal budget, pledging to fight for the funding needed to reduce risk factors.

Forest Thinning and Controlled Burns are Essential

As the wildfire season rapidly approaches amid dry conditions and rising temperatures, Wyden says forest thinning and controlled burns are essential to prevent the spread of the flames that consume hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure annually.

The 2024 season cost Oregon $352 million, a whopping $212 million more than the previous record set in 2020 by the Labor Day Fires.

Oregonians Must Play Their Part

Apart from an all-out effort at the State level, Senators Wyden and Jeff Golden have united their voices in appealing to Oregonians to play their role in fire prevention programs.

They have called on residents to create defensible spaces around their homes by keeping their yards clean and free of flammable materials. Residents should also be aware of weather patterns and when there are increased threats of wildfires.

Meanwhile, Sen. Wyden is critical of the salary structures paid to firefighters who lay down their during the wildfire season and has also pledged to fight for a better pay deal for these men and women.