July 21, 2021 3:10 a.m.

On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown provided an update on the state’s ongoing interagency response to wildfires across Oregon.

Brown was joined in the briefing by Department of Forestry Fire Chief Doug Graf, State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple and officials from a number of other agencies.

Brown said, “It’s shaping up to be another difficult wildfire season. And unfortunately, we’re responding to new fires as we continue to recover from last year’s devastating fire season”. Brown said the good news is that there a lot of excellent work happening on the ground to protect Oregonian’s, their homes and their land.

Brown said after last year, what is very clear is that no corner of the state is immune to fire. She said, “On the West Coast and here in Oregon, the urgent and dangerous climate crisis has exacerbated conditions on the ground”. Brown said extensive drought conditions are being seen across the state, with 19 counties in drought emergencies. Brown said that fire seasons are arriving earlier, coming on faster and lasting for longer.

Brown said Oregonians must be prepared. She said that is one of the best ways to help frontline firefighters do their job.

A copy of Brown’s prepared remarks are linked: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WwN53i2weEeIuH9WdoXN-4rcuHaY0_Rg/view