The
rains have set in, and the summer wildfire season is rapidly fading into
memory. For the Oregon Department of Forestry, though, the current period might
be called the “accounting season.”
Paying
the bills, collecting reimbursements and handling other financial tasks will
take months. 2014 was a severe fire season. The state’s firefighting
expenditures ran to more than $75 million. After reimbursements, the net cost
is expected to be about $47 million.
the bills, collecting reimbursements and handling other financial tasks will
take months. 2014 was a severe fire season. The state’s firefighting
expenditures ran to more than $75 million. After reimbursements, the net cost
is expected to be about $47 million.
Cost
of the epic 2013 fire season was even higher. The department spent $122 million
that year to put out fires. The net cost calculated to around $75 million.
of the epic 2013 fire season was even higher. The department spent $122 million
that year to put out fires. The net cost calculated to around $75 million.
In
both years, hot, dry conditions and abundant lightning produced hundreds of
fires across the Oregon landscape.
both years, hot, dry conditions and abundant lightning produced hundreds of
fires across the Oregon landscape.