July 26, 2024 2:50 a.m.

As an unprecedented number of devastating wildfires burn across the state this month, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland calling for more firefighting resources to respond to what they called, “the growing wildfires crisis”.

A joint release said federal land management agencies are currently providing critical resources in Oregon, but as the needs for the 2024 wildfire season grow rapidly – underscored by multiple Red Flag Warnings and temperatures repeatedly soaring pst 100 degrees – the senators are calling on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to commit more resources to firefighting efforts.

The senators wrote, “While we acknowledge the capacity challenge federal agencies face, please continue to work quickly to secure additional resources for Oregon”. The letter continued, “It is encouraging to hear that our region is currently the top priority for initial attack nationally and that international crews will help bolster our wearying crews”.

The Senators noted several more months of intense wildfire season are projected, likely to be fueled by prolonged drought, risks of lightening strikes, as well as human-cause ignitions. Merkley and Wyden said they are ready to assist in ensuring federal and state agencies have the resources they need to respond and keep Oregon communities safe.

The full text of the letter is linked: https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/24.07.25-Oregon-Wildfire-Resources_FINAL.pdf