As Oregon battles close to two million acres burned this fire season, small rural departments like Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue face a balancing act: send trained crews and equipment to help battle wildfires across the state while keeping enough personnel home to handle the day-to-day emergencies their own community depends on.
A state grant program is helping them do both.
$6 Million Flows to 180 Local Fire Agencies
The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) awarded nearly $6 million to 180 local fire agencies statewide through its Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program this year. Each agency received up to $35,000 — with priority given to rural districts like Crooked River Ranch that operate on less than $2 million in annual property tax revenue.
At Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue, the grant funds one additional firefighter per day, covering wages for approximately three to three-and-a-half months of peak fire season.
"Not One of Us Could Handle It Alone"
Fire Chief Sean Hartley said the department shares personnel and equipment through Central Oregon's mutual-aid network — a system that becomes essential when multiple large fires ignite simultaneously.
"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."
— Fire Chief Sean Hartley, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue
OSFM Public Affairs Director Kassie Keller noted that the grant's value extends beyond wildfire response. "It also helps just during the regular course of the day — whether it's EMS or a car crash," she said. "The staff are on and they're able to respond to all the calls."
A Message for Residents
Firefighter and EMT William Robles encouraged Crooked River Ranch residents to take an active role in fire preparedness regardless of evacuation status.
"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, you should have a bag packed."
With the Rowe Creek Complex still burning east of Madras and the Round Butte Fire's embers still smoldering near Culver, preparedness remains critical throughout Jefferson County. Residents can find defensible space tips and go-bag guidance at oregon.gov/osfm.