MEDFORD, Ore. — As wildfire season starts in Oregon, with hotter and drier conditions expected, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are collaborating to respond swiftly to any fires.

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon expressed concerns over federal resource shortages after funding cuts and Oregon climatologists warned that federal Weather Service layoffs would weaken wildfire monitoring .

The National Weather Service and predictive services also warned that the anticipated hot, dry weather could make for a challenging summer.

Fire officials and local leaders are preparing, and community awareness and prevention of human-caused fires will be crucial in maintaining safety in the state. Wyden said, “Above average temperature during the

See Full Page