ODF Begins to Send $88 Million to 2024 Wildfire Season Vendors

Salem, Oregon- The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has expedited payments to wildland fire vendors, disbursing $88 million following a special legislative allocation of $191.5 million to address the costs of the 2024 fire season. Officials say this season marked one of the most severe and expensive in state history.

State Forester Cal Mukumoto, ODF director, acknowledged the vital role of vendors in wildfire response efforts. “Without these vendors, we could not have provided Oregonians with the wildfire protection we did this year,” Mukumoto stated.

Prior to the special session, ODF had allocated $130 million for fire season costs. This included $40 million from the State Emergency Board and $90 million drawn from the budgets of non-fire ODF programs. However, ODF’s reliance on reallocating funds from other operations and awaiting federal reimbursements has proven unsustainable.

Governor Tina Kotek commended ODF for its prompt action to address payment delays. “I appreciate the Legislature’s swift work during the special session,” Kotek said. “Next year, I look forward to collaborating with legislators to establish sustainable funding solutions for wildfire costs.”

Despite the recent payments, delays in compensation strained fire resource providers, including personnel, aircraft operators, and heavy equipment suppliers. Deborah Miley, executive director of the National Wildfire Suppression Association, emphasized the challenges faced by vendors. “Many had to take out credit lines to cover payrolls and expenses,” Miley noted.

The $191.5 million allocation offers temporary relief, but Mukumoto highlighted the need for structural changes to wildfire funding. “The current approach is inadequate for addressing the growing complexity and cost of wildfires in Oregon,” he said.

Efforts are underway to explore alternative funding strategies, with recommendations expected for the 2025 legislative session. The Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2025-27 biennium includes proposals to allocate $150 million from state reserves for wildfire suppression and generate an additional $130 million in new revenue for modernization and preparedness.

As reviews of remaining fire season costs continue, ODF and state leaders say they are prioritizing long-term solutions to meet Oregon’s evolving wildfire challenges.