A look at how Central Oregon fire districts remain staffed locally during wildfire season

CROOKED RIVER RANCH, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As wildfires continue to demand resources across Central Oregon, local fire departments must also remain ready to respond to house fires, crashes, and medical emergencies in their communities.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local agencies through its 2026 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program. Each recipient was eligible for a portion of the funds to hire seasonal firefighters or pay for additional shifts through October.

The program prioritizes smaller, rural agencies that may depend heavily on volunteer firefighters and have fewer resources available when wildfire activity increases.

KTVZ’s Claire Elmer is speaking with a recipient of the grant about how the department is using the funds, whether it has strengthened response times, and how crews maintain local coverage during a busy fire season.

KTVZ News has also requested an interview with the Oregon State Fire Marshal to learn how the grants are awarded and whether the funding is keeping pace with the needs of rural departments.

Tune in to KTVZ News at 6:00p.m. for the full report.