Oregon lawmakers approve nearly $123M in emergency funding to cover 2026 wildfire season costs

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon lawmakers have approved more than $120 million in urgent funding requests from two state agencies that have been tackling this summer's record-breaking wildfire season. On Thursday, the Joint Legislative Emergency Board convened in Salem and approved 42 items totaling $139.6 million in General Fund support. Of that total, $122.8 million was allocated to the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon State Fire Marshal to cover ongoing wildfire suppression efforts. The joint committee manages emergency funds outside of official legislative sessions. "Today, the Emergency Board allocated resources to ensure that the state of Oregon has the funding needed to cover the cost of our catastrophic 2026 wildfire season," said House Speaker Julie Fahey. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in mid-July over what was expected to be a severe wildfire season.

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