katu.com · September 8, 2026
Oregon fire agencies set to ask lawmakers for over $200M to cover record-breaking season
# Oregon fire agencies set to ask lawmakers for over $200M to cover record-breaking season
by Christina Giardinelli
Tue, September 8, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Updated Tue, September 8, 2026 at 3:40 PM
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Firefighters look on as firing operations are underway on the Grasshopper Fire - Grasshopper Fire photo
SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon fire agencies plan to ask the Legislature’s Emergency Board to approve spending roughly $256 million beyond what lawmakers already budgeted for the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Oregon Department of Forestry.
The money would cover costs from this year’s record-breaking fire season, which has not yet concluded and has burned a total of 2.5 million acres statewide so far.
The request exceeds the $218 million lawmakers approved during a December 2024 special session after that year’s record-breaking fire season, when 2.08 million acres burned.
Before the 2024 special session, ODF could not pay some invoices to fire contractors because of the deficit and delays in federal reimbursements. To avoid a similar situation, lawmakers in 2025 set aside emergency disaster-relief funds to help fire agencies cover above-average fire-season costs.
Fire agencies say the fund will likely allow them to avoid requesting a special session this year. Because the money agencies are seeking already exists, the Emergency Board can approve the spending without calling a special session.
ODF is asking for $66 million from the state’s Natural Disaster Fund, while OSFM is seeking $15 million from the same fund.
ODF is also asking to borrow up to $150 million from the state treasury, though it may not need the full amount.
OSFM is requesting $13 million from the Severity Resources for Aviation Fund, another emergency fund the state uses to pay for aviation resources. ODF is seeking $11.8 million from that fund.
Both agencies are scheduled to meet with the Legislature’s Emergency Board on Wednesday.
OSFM says it anticipates coming back to the legislative e-board in December with an additional ask of $20 million.