Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek held a press conference on Tuesday, along with fire and forestry officials, to remind people that wildfire season is just around the corner.
Much of the state has seen heavy precipitation well into this month, and snowpack is nearly double normal levels thanks to heavy late-winter storms, so some areas will see a delayed wildfire season.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek held a press conference on Tuesday, along with fire and forestry officials, to remind people that wildfire season is just around the corner.
Dirk VanderHart / OPB
But Kotek noted many other regions in Oregon remain in persistent drought.
Related: Oregon drought no longer ‘exceptional,’ but it’s still bad
“The 2023 fire season will challenge Oregon’s response system at times,” she said. “Particularly in Eastern Oregon, where fire indexes suggest an above-average fire season.
Kotek said early fire detection is key to fighting wildfires, and new tools, including drones, will help forestry crews see hot spots as soon as they appear.
She also said as a result of lessons learned in past major wildfires, firefighters will be better positioned this fire season to respond quickly wherever they’re needed most.
Kotek and other leaders urged Oregonians to do their part to help stop human-caused wildfires.
“We will have fire season conditions over the summer months,” Kotek said. “Even this week, we are seeing how quickly the weather can turn hot and dry. So Oregonians should prepare for fire season. Be sure you have an evacuation plan, have a go-kit, have a plan if there’s smoke in your community. And above all, do everything you can, wherever you are, to prevent fires from starting in the first place.”
Related: Summer is coming: How to prepare for heat, fire and smoke in Oregon
