COVID-19 prompts new fire strategies: Officials aim to put blazes out quickly rather than burning off undergrowth
Marshall said COVID-19 has prompted a new statewide strategy aimed at extinguishing wildfires as soon as possible.
“In the past, we’d let some fires burn and let them burn out some of the undergrowth if it wasn’t threatening structures and try and clear out some of that to help reduce the long-term fire danger,” Marshall said. “This year, that’s not going to be the case. There’s going to be a really aggressive effort to put out fires early on.”
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Oregon Lawmakers Bump Up Wildfire Funds As A Potentially Big Season Looms
The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board on Thursday approved a spending increase for wildfires in anticipation of what could be an early and challenging season.
Oregon Public Broadcasting
The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board on Thursday approved a spending increase for wildfires in anticipation of what could be an early and challenging season.
Full Article: https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-wildfire-funding-increase-2020-season/
USFS reverts to ‘old’ fire plan in time of coronavirus
“With the prospect of a wildland fire season ramping up at time when the COVID-19 respiratory virus is still lingering in the population, local fire fighting agencies are planning an aggressive suppression strategy this year aimed at extinguishing fires as quickly as possible, a markedly different approach from normal years.”
“With the prospect of a wildland fire season ramping up at time when the COVID-19 respiratory virus is still lingering in the population, local fire fighting agencies are planning an aggressive suppression strategy this year aimed at extinguishing fires as quickly as possible, a markedly different approach from normal years.”
For Emergency Personnel, Disaster Planning Must Now Factor in Covid-19
Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, is worried about the ways coronavirus is already undermining readiness. Physical fitness tests, medical reviews, safety training and refresher courses have been suspended or moved online just as crews should be gearing up to be ready for work in May.
"I think there's a fair amount of dread among wildland firefighters about how they are going to do their jobs," Ingalsbee said.