Wildfires Are A New Challenge For Rural Communities In Oregon

According to some local firefighters, the effects of climate change are making the fire season in Oregon and other western states burn hotter and longer, urgently requiring additional funding and manpower.  The state lost 1.9 million acres during the 2024 fire season, an area larger than Delaware.  Patrick Skrip, who manages the rural Douglas Forest Protective Association, says the fires they fight today are very different from the ones they saw 20 years ago.

"Our fire seasons are longer," he noted.  "The weather patterns have changed to what used to be 1-in-10-year event; we'd hit 100 degrees. We hit 100 degrees in our district multiple times a year."

Skrip says rural associations like his are worried about how they will fight future fires.  He said when he started, a 2,000-3,000-acre blaze in his region was considered a major fire, but at least one incident this past season covered 180,000 acres.

“We're seeing a fire regime starting to march north with the weather, creates the change in the climate. We used to not get very many significant fires north of Roseburg or in the foothills of the Cascades, but those are becoming much more frequent and common."

Fire season runs from June through October, and in 2024, the Oregon Department of Forestry recorded 1,003 incidents, stressing both the state's manpower and resources.

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