Wyden asks Obama for more Ore. firefighting aid

When major wildfires strike Oregon, it’s not uncommon for lawmakers to weigh in on the situation and what should be done. As a half-million acre fire grew Friday, that was once again the case.

Here are news releases issued by Rep. Greg Walden, Sen. Ron Wyden and Gov. John Kitzhaber:

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Greg Walden: All levels of government need to be flexible in responding to wildfires

Walden announces that, at his urging, Farm Service Agency will be flexible in locating Conservation Reserve Program lands where ranchers can relocate their cattle for emergency grazing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the middle of a swing through four counties in Eastern Oregon, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) offered the following comments:

“As Oregon faces the largest wildfires in nearly 150 years–and ranchers, residents, and firefighters are scrambling to save their communities, livestock, and range, I’ve been in close touch with local, state, and federal officials, as well as citizens and ranchers from the affected areas in Harney and Malheur counties.

“I’ve encouraged all levels of government to be flexible and responsive to the needs of communities, families, and businesses.

“This morning, at a town hall meeting I held in Ontario, a representative from the BLM briefed the community further on the situation. They told us the moisture levels of the sagebrush and grass fuel in the affected areas is 40-50% of normal for this time of year. They also told us that the recovery time for the affected areas is at least two years. These fires will have a major impact on the economy of southeastern Oregon over the long-term.

“Today we did receive a little bit of good news for the ranchers whose cattle are being impacted by the wildfires. Yesterday I called and asked the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to be flexible in locating private farmlands in nearby counties in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) where ranchers can relocate their cattle for emergency grazing. The USDA has just announced that they have done so.

“I’ll keep working on encouraging all levels of government to be creative and flexible in finding solutions.

“Public meetings will be held in Jordan Valley tonight and in McDermitt, Nevada, tomorrow. I have a previously-scheduled town hall in Enterprise tonight, but a representative from my office will attend the meeting in Jordan Valley on my behalf.

“Please keep the firefighters and those in the impacted communities in your thoughts and prayers.”

Walden held public events in Malheur, Baker, Union, and Wallowa counties today as part of a previously scheduled visit.

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Wyden Calls on President to Provide Assistance Fighting Fires in Southeastern Oregon

With 500,000 acres in Oregon Burnt, the Long Draw Wildfire is Currently the Largest Wildfire in the Nation

Washington, D.C. – With the Long Draw wildfire in southeastern Oregon being just one of several wildfires already having burnt more than 600,000 acres collectively across the state, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has sent a letter to President Obama seeking additional resources to fight these fires as well as aid in securing disaster relief to prevent more damage to farmers and ranchers and the increased loss of cattle and wild horses.

Several wildfires are burning on Oregon’s Bureau of Land Management lands, causing damage to farms and ranches, scorching the grazing and pasture land needed to feed cattle and wild horses. Due to the timing and the high number of wildfires throughout the country fire fighting resources were outside of the state when these fires started. The Long Draw fire – currently the largest in the nation — has already claimed 500,000 acres and is exhibiting “extreme wildfire behavior.”

“At the time that the fires broke out, many of Oregon’s firefighting crews were dispatched around the nation fighting other fires,” Wyden wrote in the letter to the President. “While efforts are underway to bring crews back to Oregon, I want to make sure you are aware of the urgency of the situation and the need for national resources to fight this fire. Community volunteers and local fire crews have battled these fires bravely, but I ask you to ensure that there are adequate Federal resources – including crews, air tankers, helicopters and engines.”

The loss of grazing and pasture land caused by these wildfires has put ranchers at risk of losing livestock. Ranchers are in need of assistance finding alternative feed sources as well as places to keep their livestock away from the advancing fires. Wyden called for the President to work jointly with the Governor to provide disaster declarations for the affected counties and help to find avenues of assistance for ranchers.

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Governor Kitzhaber Statement on Wildfires in Southeastern Oregon

(Portland, OR) — Governor Kitzhaber released the following statement on the wildfires in Southeastern Oregon:

“This year’s wildfire season has now hit our state, with some of the nation’s largest fires affecting people, wild animals and livestock, and land in southeastern Oregon, including the communities of Frenchglen, Rome and Jordan Valley and other areas of Harney and Malheur counties.

“I want to thank everyone responding to the fires, including local citizens and the BLM for their firefighting efforts and the relief organizations for their community response and aid efforts.

“I am deeply concerned with both the immediate impacts of the fire and with the long-term effects on this part of Oregon.”