|
Dear Neighbor,
Happy Summer! I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a safe and pleasant summer. It's been a bustling season for me, filled with events, tours, and conferences as I gear up for 2025 and continue my efforts to serve you better. This month's newsletter is a bit shorter than usual, but rest assured, our next edition will provide a comprehensive recap of all my summer activities. Stay tuned for more updates!
As a reminder, the committees I proudly serve on are:
- House Interim Committee On Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans
- Joint Committee On Conduct
- House Interim Committee On Behavioral Health and Health Care
- House Interim Committee On Judiciary
- House Interim Committee On Conduct
I also proudly serve as the Co-Chair of the Oregon Veterans Caucus.
Every first Friday of the month I host our Power to the People event at my in-district office. I would love to see you on Friday, 8/2 @5:30pm at: 4526 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213. We invite you to share your concerns and policy ideas alongside friendly neighbors.
The next Power to the People event will be held in September, on September 6th, 2024, at 5:30pm at the same location.
As the Chair of the House Interim Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans, I am deeply committed to staying informed about emergencies across the state, including wildfires. My role involves actively seeking ways to reduce the risk these disasters pose to our communities. The recent wildfire outbreaks in Oregon highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to mitigate these risks and protect our citizens.
The Oregon National Guard has been called upon to assist in firefighting efforts, and as a proud member of the National Guard, I am acutely aware of the importance of safeguarding our communities and neighbors. Our brave men and women work tirelessly to support firefighting operations and provide critical aid during these challenging times. Their dedication underscores the vital role the National Guard plays in ensuring the safety and security of Oregonians.
Reducing wildfire risk is not just a professional obligation for me; it is a personal mission to protect the people and places we hold dear. I am committed to continuing this important work and advocating for policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of all Oregonians.
Wildfire Programs Director's Report: Key Metrics and Current Status
The sixteenth Wildfire Programs Director's Report provides a sobering overview of the current wildfire season in Oregon, marked by unprecedented challenges and significant impacts. Here are the key metrics and updates:
-
Wildfires to Date: Over 1,000 wildfires have burned more than 1.2 million acres across Oregon. This is considerably higher than the state's 10-year average, which typically sees approximately 2,000 wildfires burning 640,000 acres over an entire season.
-
Current Season's Severity: With a long wildfire season still ahead, the 2024 fire season is on track to be one of the most challenging in Oregon’s history.
-
Losses: The state has already lost 29 primary residences and 70 structures to wildfires. In addition, the tragic loss of firefighter James Maxwell, who died while piloting a single-engine air tanker, underscores the human cost of these disasters.
-
State of Emergency: A state declaration of emergency has been issued, enabling the activation of the National Guard for firefighting efforts and allowing for additional federal assistance through Fire Management Assistance Grants.
-
Suppression Costs: Gross suppression costs have already exceeded $70 million, highlighting the financial burden of managing these extensive wildfire activities.
The report also notes that eight major conflagrations have been initiated by the Governor to protect Oregon’s population centers. Daily coordination efforts are ongoing with all county and tribal emergency managers, state wildfire response agencies, and other partners to manage and mitigate the fires.
As we move into the historically challenging months of August and September, preparations for both immediate response and long-term recovery are critical. The Wildfire Programs Advisory Council (WPAC), established to guide these efforts, will present its annual report in October, providing further insights into the state’s wildfire strategy and necessary steps forward.
Wildfire Safety and Prevention: Protecting Ourselves and Our Communities
As the summer heat intensifies, the risk of wildfires becomes a significant concern, especially for those living in fire-prone areas. With Oregon's diverse landscapes and dense forests, it's crucial to stay informed, prepared, and proactive. Here are essential tips to ensure your safety and prevent wildfires.
Create a Defensible Space and Maintain Your Property
Maintaining your property well can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires:
-
Clear vegetation: Remove dead plants, dry leaves, and pine needles from your yard, roof, and gutters.
-
Spacing plants: Ensure adequate space between trees and shrubs to slow the spread of fire.
-
Use fire-resistant landscaping: Incorporate fire-resistant plants and materials in your landscaping.
-
Dispose of debris properly: Dispose of lawn clippings, leaves, and other yard waste safely.
Safe Use of Fire and Equipment
Using fire responsibly and safely handling equipment can prevent accidental wildfires:
-
Outdoor burning: Check local regulations before burning yard waste and always have a water source nearby.
-
Campfires: Only build campfires in designated areas, keep them small, and never leave them unattended. Completely extinguish them before leaving.
-
Fireworks: Avoid using fireworks, especially during dry conditions.
-
Equipment safety: Avoid using mowers and other equipment that can generate sparks during the hottest and driest parts of the day. Ensure your vehicle’s exhaust system is in good condition and avoid parking on dry grass. Secure chains on trailers to prevent sparks.
Home and Building Safety
Building and maintaining fire-resistant structures can prevent wildfires from spreading:
-
Fire-resistant materials: Use fire-resistant roofing and siding materials.
-
Ember protection: Install screens on chimneys, vents, and gutters to prevent embers from entering your home.
-
Water sources: Ensure accessible water sources, such as hoses and sprinklers, in case of a fire emergency.
Prepare an Emergency Kit and Evacuation Plan
Having an emergency kit and a well-thought-out evacuation plan can save lives:
-
Emergency kit: Include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, medications, copies of important documents, masks for smoke, and sturdy shoes.
-
Evacuation plan: Identify multiple evacuation routes, designate a safe meeting point for your family, and practice regular evacuation drills.
Stay Informed
Keeping up-to-date with the latest wildfire information is crucial:
-
Sign up for alerts: Register for local emergency alerts and notifications.
-
Monitor news: Follow local news channels and official social media accounts for real-time updates.
-
Weather awareness: Pay attention to weather forecasts, especially red flag warnings indicating high fire risk.
You can keep up to date with incident information through each incident’s Facebook page, ODF’s wildfire blog, OSFM’s incident information blog, and the federal Inciweb site.
Community Efforts and Education
Community preparedness and education can enhance overall safety:
-
Neighborhood programs: Join or start a local community program to promote collective fire safety practices.
-
Education: Participate in and organize community workshops to educate others about wildfire prevention.
-
Volunteer: Assist local fire departments and community groups in fire prevention activities and awareness campaigns.
By implementing these wildfire safety and prevention strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our homes, communities, and natural landscapes. Prevention and preparedness are shared responsibilities, and every action counts in safeguarding our environment and future.
Speaking of Community Efforts, there’s opportunities to get involved with the Wildfire Programs Advisory Council, with numerous openings. The Legislature is working to fill twelve openings on Oregon’s Wildfire Program Advisory Council (WPAC) to analyze and recommend policies that prevent wildfire, improve wildfire response capacity, and increase fire resilience across our state. WPAC is a 19-member council established by the Legislature in 2021. Appointees are selected by the Presiding Officers to participate in quarterly meetings and assist in developing a report to the Legislature in October in the year following their appointment. Here is a list of twelve openings, each for 3-year terms unless otherwise noted:
- Member representing County Government
- Member representing City Government
- Member representing fire chiefs with wildland-urban interface firefighting experience
-
Member representing fire marshals with wildland-urban interface firefighting experience. (One-year appointment to complete term)
- Member representing firefighters with wildland-urban interface firefighting experience
- Member representing farmers whose land is wholly or partially within the wildland-urban interface
- Member representing forestland owners whose land is wholly or partially within the wildland-urban interface
-
Member representing federally recognized Indian tribes with land wholly or partially within the wildland-urban interface (One-year appointment to complete term)
- Member who represents a utility company
- Member who represents forest resiliency interests
- Member who represents land and housing development or real estate industry interests
- Member who represents the environmental justice community
Those interested in applying should email Jack.Lehman@oregonlegislature.gov with the subject line “Wildfire Program Advisory Council APPLICANT” – to receive a response with next steps. Applications are due by August 18th so act now to let me know if you are interested.
If you are a resident of HD45 who falls under one of these groups, and you would like my support, please also reach out to my office.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we work together for the betterment of our community.
Yours truly,
Representative Thuy Tran
House District 45
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1445
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-285, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/tran
|
