Letter: Special thanks

Published 12:15 am Tuesday, November 5, 2024

In the aftermath of this year’s fire season, let’s give special thanks and recognition to Clatsop County’s firefighting personnel: The Oregon Department of Forestry Astoria District and municipal fire departments and rural fire protection districts.

During much of the 2024 fire season, the nation was at Preparedness Level 5, the highest level. Large, complex fires occurred across the country. Oregon experienced a record-breaking 2024 fire season: Nearly 2,000 fires burned over 1.9 million acres. This placed an exceptional demand on incident management teams, fire crews, support personnel, engines, aircraft and other equipment. Fortunately, our county was spared large, destructive wildfires this fire season.

To support other areas experiencing catastrophic fires, ODF and local firefighting agencies within the county dispatched personnel, engines and equipment. These firefighters left their homes, families and job duties for weeks at a time, often on multiple deployments, throughout the fire season.

In the case of ODF Astoria District, out-of-district fire assignment resulted in a record-breaking 714 days (or 10,425 hours) fighting fire! Their efforts and sacrifice provided relief and support to embattled fire resources based in other areas of the state, decreasing risk of fatigue and injury, while protecting forests, rangelands, homes and vital infrastructure.

With over 94% of fires in our county caused by people, we have a responsibility to ensure that our activities do not cause fires: Adhere to local burn ban regulations, recreate responsibly and take steps to reduce wildfire risk. Consider volunteering with your local fire agency.

AARON GROTH

Astoria