Oregon Delegation pushes for federal disaster declaration, more resources to help with 'devastating' wildfires

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon's entire Congressional delegation is calling on the federal government to unlock more resources for fighting devastating wildfires as more than a million acres have been scorched with worsening conditions forecasted on the horizon.

In a joint letter, the U.S. lawmakers urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to approve Governor Tina Kotek's request for a disaster declaration for numerous Oregon counties facing "increasingly devastating fires." They're also calling on approving Kotek's request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to funnel more resources into targeting agricultural communities who have been particularly impacted throughout the state

The lawmakers who signed the joint letter in a bi-partisan plea include U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D) and Ron Wyden (D), alongside U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D), Suzanne Bonamici (D), Val Hoyle (D), Andrea Salinas (D), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R), and Cliff Bentz (R).

“As climate chaos continues to worsen – turning fire seasons into fire years that see millions of acres scorched and countless lives forever changed – we must make sure communities can access the federal resources they need to equitably recover from these increasingly devastating fires,” the joint statement said in part.

The letter comes as several "megafires" have been declared in Eastern Oregon counties as resources in the state become increasingly stretched thin. Gov. Kotek even ordered flags be set at half-staff this week after an air tanker pilot lost his life battling the flames.

The lawmakers said the additional resources would be especially prescient as drought intensity is forecasted to increase throughout the rest of the fire season, making it likely for existing fires to grow and new fires to start from things like lightning strikes and human-caused fires.

Sen. Ron Wyden, one of the co-signers of the letter, also announced on Friday that he is introducing legislation to bolster public utilities infrastructure nationwide amid wildfire emergencies. The proposed bill would direct $25 million in federal dollars to go toward making power grids modernized with wildfire-resistant infrastructure in part to also meet the needs for "America's clean energy goals."

“Public utilities work tirelessly to provide Americans with clean energy at low costs," Wyden said in a statement about the bill, called the Grid Resilience Improvement through Dedicated Assistance Act (GRID Assistance Act). "My bill will help these public utilities expand and enhance energy grids nationwide so that families and businesses can keep their lights on for low prices and without fear of sparking new fires.”