Merkley part of bill that could create firefighting jobs

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Steve Daines, as well as Representatives Andrea Salinas, Brett Guthrie and Val Hoyle, have introduced the 'Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025'. It instructs the USDA and the DOI to offer specialized training to create wildland firefighters.

"It's one of many things I've been doing to increase our ability to fight fires.", said Senator Merkley. "One is to get our Oregon National Guard trained and to have funding for training National Guard across the country. Second is to expand the firefighter pay so we don't lose people from season to season. Lastly, the managers of the crews. Another is to try to enable firefighters to have year-round jobs. So if they're not fighting fires, they can be on forest management teams."

The bill focuses on groups that already offer job training, like Job Corps.

This bill has bipartisan support.