April 12, 2024 3:40 a.m. 

To boost the number of firefighters across Oregon before wildfire season, the Oregon State Fire Marshall has announced that it has awarded $6 million in grants to 191 local fire agencies across the state.

The 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program is in its third year. Local agencies in the Oregon structural fire service were eligible to apply for up to $35,000. The funding will allow agencies to bring on additional firefighters or increase on-duty hours during the 2024 fire season.

Douglas County agencies receiving the full $35,000 amount includes districts in Azalea, Camas Valley, Fair Oaks, Glide, Kellogg, Lookingglass, North Douglas, Oakland, Reedsport, Riddle, Scottsburg, Sutherlin, Winchester Bay and Winston-Dillard.  A few other districts received smaller amounts.

A complete list of agencies awarded funding is linked: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/Documents/2024%20OSFM%20Staffing%20Grant%20Recipient%20List.pdf

The release said the grant program is part of a multi-pronged approach to combat wildfire in Oregon. Over the last three years, OSFM has made strategic investments to modernize the Oregon Mutual Aid System and help communities become more wildfire adapted.

The grant is part of OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative. The OSFM is looking for sustained funding for this program and is exploring all options to continue this highly successful grant in 2025 and beyond.