Oregon wildfire special session

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has convened a special legislative session to address over $350 million in costs from the state's historic wildfire season, which burned nearly 1.9 million acres and devastated multiple regions. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is currently facing $98 million in unpaid bills to approximately 800 vendors, with most contractors awaiting payment having taken out loans to cover their expenses. Kotek is requesting $218 million from lawmakers to ensure timely payments and maintain operations through the upcoming budget cycle, which ends June 30. The federal government is expected to reimburse around $184 million of the wildfire costs, but Oregon still needs to address its outstanding liabilities. Legislative leaders expressed their commitment to promptly resolve these financial obligations and support the firefighters who battled the blazes. This special session will be critical in establishing a framework for future wildfire funding as the state prepares for potential future fire seasons.