wildfires

Temperatures may be dropping across the region, and there’s even a possibility we’ll see a few rain showers this weekend across the Pacific Northwest.  But that does not mean the risk of wildfires has gone away.  At last report, over two dozen fires of size are burning across the PNW.   And if you plan to enj...

Last week a group of western lawmakers asked the Department of Agriculture and Interior Department for additional wildfire fighting resources.  Oregon’s Peter DeFazio joined 24 other lawmakers, primarily from California, asking the federal government to assist in continuing to fight fires aggressively, communicate clearly and take administrative steps now to prepare additional personnel for when t

What's the latest when it comes to smoke exposure research?  We find out when we check in with Washington State University's Tom Collins.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

While a number of wildfires continue to burn across Oregon, state officials say they have not seen the mega-fires that were anticipated when the fire season started.  Christie Shaw with the Oregon State Fire Marshal said because of a lack of massive wildfires, to date, they’ve been able to be proactive when it comes to fighting the current blazes and where they put personnel.   “...

Oregon’s State Fire Marshal’s Office is taking public feedback as the agency develops new statewide code for defensible space.  OSFM’s Allison Green said they’ve heard concerns from farmers and ranchers in areas that might be considered at high or extreme risk for wildfires, which would trigger potential future code enforcement.   “We have folks here...

When it comes to the ongoing conversation of climate change, the impact agriculture has, and what the future of the industry looks like, Cameron Mulrony said it's vital that producers share how cattle benefit the climate.  The Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association pointed out the non-farming community needs to know that the beef industry is a good guy when it comes to the climate conversa

On Thursday, Dan Newhouse, Chair of the Western Caucus and 21 other lawmakers introduced legislation to reauthorized the Emergency Relief Program, formerly known as WHIP+.  The lawmakers said the ERP will offer critical assistance to producers who suffered crop damage because of natural disasters in 2022.  They added E...

Last week, Washington Representative Kim Schrier, voted for the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act.  The central Washington rep said the package would fund comprehensive mitigation and resiliency efforts to prevent wildfires and reduce the effects of drought across the West.  Th...

Last week, central Washington’s Kim Schrier and California’s Ami Brea, introduced the Fire Ready National Act.  The legislation introduced by the two Democrats will allow NOAA to be more involved in the detection and response of wildfires. Washington’s...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Idaho for a series of events next week, including addressing the Western Governors' Association Annual Conference.  The events are related to the Biden administration efforts to build climate resilience and recover from the impact of wildfires. Vilsa...