The 2024 wildfire season in Oregon has been one of the most severe on record, with 1.9 million acres burned and a total cost of $350 million. In response, Governor Tina Kotek has called for a special legislative session to release $218 million in funding to pay contractors for their work during the summer wildfires.
Many contractors, like Tom Fery of Tom Fery Farm, have been waiting for months for payments, with some crews being owed up to $1.5 million.
Fery, a labor contractor, highlighted the strain on businesses that rely on timely payments, especially since many of these companies have been forced to take out loans to cover their expenses.
Lee Miller, who owns Miller Timber Services, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure timely payment for wildfire suppression efforts.
He noted that while the state responded quickly with a State of Emergency declaration, it would have been beneficial if financial resources were immediately available for those fighting the fires.
The situation has sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of wildfire management, with both Fery and Miller stressing that the state must adjust its approach to address these fiscal challenges more effectively, ensuring that contractors who play a crucial role in fire suppression can continue their essential work.
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