As Oregon's wildfire season stretches deep into August, rural fire departments across the state are getting a financial lift to keep enough boots on the ground — and the Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue district is among the beneficiaries.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local fire agencies this year through its Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program, with each agency receiving up to $35,000 to help fund additional staffing during peak fire season. Priority was given to rural districts receiving less than $2 million in annual property-tax revenue — a category that includes many Jefferson County-area departments.
One More Firefighter Every Day
At Crooked River Ranch, the grant is paying for one additional firefighter per day for roughly three to three-and-a-half months, giving the department greater flexibility to respond both inside its district and through Central Oregon's mutual-aid system.
"We all share resources and help each other out because not one of us, a single agency, could handle the amount of fires we see in Central Oregon," said Fire Chief Sean Hartley.
Hartley said the extra staffing has already made a tangible difference this season. "Through that Wildland Fire Season Staffing Grant, we were able to get multiple rigs to calls very quickly and keep fires small," he said.
More Than Wildfire Response
OSFM Public Affairs Director Kassie Keller noted that the benefits extend well beyond wildfire deployments. "It also helps just during the regular course of the day — whether it's EMS, a car crash, or things like that. The staff are on and they're able to respond to all the calls," she said.
Firefighter and EMT William Robles echoed the message that prevention starts with homeowners. "Managing your property, making sure it is wildfire-safe, is always a good thing," Robles said. "Just always be ready. Even if your house isn't under evacuation, have a plan."
What Residents Can Do
The Crooked River Ranch community has taken steps in recent years to reduce fire risk through its Firewise Committee. Homeowners are encouraged to maintain defensible space around structures, clear gutters and rooftops of debris, and know their evacuation routes. For more information on home hardening and Firewise practices, visit firewise.org or contact Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue directly.
The staffing grant program is part of a broader OSFM push to ensure that Oregon's rural communities — which bear a disproportionate share of wildfire risk — can maintain safe staffing levels without depleting already tight local budgets.