Rogue Valley News, Friday 8/8 – Pacific Power Unveils New Wildfire Intelligence Center in Medford, Red Flag Warnings, Fire Near Willow Lake & Other Local and Statewide News Stories

Governor Kotek Announces Funding Solution to Address Transportation System Crisis

Thursday, Governor Tina Kotek unveiled the details of a funding solution to preserve critical transportation and maintenance services for Oregonians, protect the jobs of hundreds of essential workers across the state, and preserve transit services.

The proposal would deliver adequate funding for the State Highway Trust Fund in the 2025-27 biennium, while maintaining Oregon’s emergency funds for urgent needs, such as wildfire suppression.

“In the weeks since the adjournment of the legislative session, my team and I have worked every day with legislators, local partners, and key stakeholders to zero-in on a focused solution for the immediate crisis in our transportation system,” Governor Kotek said. “I am confident that lawmakers will step up this month to avert these layoffs and I appreciate their partnership in getting to the other side of this crisis.”

“The Governor’s proposal is a targeted, near-term, and necessary fix to a statewide crisis. We must protect the jobs of ODOT employees whom we rely on to keep our roads and bridges safe,” Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) said. “For decades, Oregon has underinvested in the safety and maintenance of our roads, bridges, and transit options. This proposal doesn’t solve all the funding challenges facing our statewide transportation system, but we have an opportunity with this legislation to keep Oregon on a path toward a fair and stable funding system that puts safety first.”

“This proposal is about keeping Oregonians safe; making sure that every community – urban and rural – has functioning roads and transit; and holding ODOT accountable to Oregon taxpayers,” House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) said. “We’ve heard from mayors, county commissioners, and transit leaders across the state who have been clear that the stakes are real and the timeline is urgent. We need to take action before harmful cuts to transportation services take effect.”

If additional revenues for the State Highway Fund are not secured during a special session, a first wave of layoffs will go into effect on September 15, and a second wave is slated for January 2026.

Forestry’s new regional air-attack platform sees immediate success

Oregon’s wildfire response continues to evolve with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) recent addition of regional air attack and ongoing investment in severity aircraft.

Deputy Director of Fire Operations, Kyle Williams, explained, “the severity aircraft and regional air attack gives us a huge advantage, both are excellent investments. These help us fight wildfires with surgical precision, quickly cutting off wildfires in critical locations.”

In terms of geographical scope, ODF is the state’s largest fire department. The department typically responds to more than one thousand fires each year. Most fires you never hear of because ODF’s fast, effective response keeps most wildfires under 10 acres.

Chief of Fire Protection, Michael Curran, explained, “this takes a coordinated effort using aircraft and on-the-ground firefighters to quickly stop these fires. ODF has hundreds of firefighters and multiple aircraft strategically located across the state to do this work.”

What is air attack? Air attack is the airplane and crew that fly above a wildfire to coordinate aircraft and groundwork to stop a wildfire—a flying air traffic control center. Air attack has three primary responsibilities—keeping firefighters safe, ensuring accurate drops of water or retardant, and giving incident commanders a full, clear picture of the fire.

Safety takes priority. Keeping firefighters and air crews safe requires maintaining space between aircraft and coordinating precise water drops. Air attack monitors and directs flight paths based on multiple factors. The key factors are spacing and whether the pilot can drop the water on target while keeping on-the-ground firefighters safe.

Hitting the target keeps fires smaller. Accuracy depends on clear communication from the firefighters to air attack about target coordinates and timing. The firefighters determine the spot to hit, which can change quickly based on the speed that a fire spreads, winds, and aircraft.

Air attack calculates and coordinates based on how soon the aircraft can be on location, whether it is an airplane or helicopter, where the firefighters are, and how many parts around the fire need help. Air attack looks at the whole picture, triages the requests and details, determines which aircraft are best used where and when, then directs drops to stay on target.

While an aircraft drops water or retardant on the leading edge of the fire to check it, this allows on-the-ground firefighters to suppress the fire’s push by digging and creating a fireline, a non-flammable, mineral soil buffer around the fire. This early stage takes clear communication and coordination for precise water drops and keeping firefighters safe and out of the drop zone. Keeping everyone safe and maximizing the effectiveness of this oft called “airshow” on a wildfire takes calm disposition, clear communication, strategic thinking, and decisive action—that’s air attack.

Why does it matter? Historically, when a wildfire started, aircraft, let alone air attack, were not readily available. When the wildfire grew to a size that warranted air attack, then the dispatcher would order it from a central location. The response time slowed the effectiveness, because of the limited air response and support. Even if an aircraft and firefighters arrived, the lack of big-picture coordination stifled the work.

Recent investments by Oregon’s legislature gave ODF two regional air attack teams.

Williams explained, “now, dispatchers can send air attack during the initial attack phase of emergency response. It’s a game changer.”

The regional air attack builds on the “severity aircraft” program to better use state resources. Over the past couple of decades, the legislature has continued investing in firefighters and technology that return great results.

Curran concluded, “we’re seeing a huge return on investment using these aircraft early—cutting costs, keeping wildfires small, and better protecting natural resources and the public.”

August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Oregon

SALEM, Ore. – Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed August 2025 as National Emergency Management Awareness Month in Oregon, recognizing the vital work of emergency managers and the role they play in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

The proclamation supports a national campaign spearheaded by the International Association of Emergency Managers to increase public awareness and appreciation for the emergency management profession. In Oregon, the campaign is being led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), in partnership with local, Tribal, regional, and state emergency management agencies.
“Emergency management is often invisible until something goes wrong—then it becomes essential,” said OEM Director Erin McMahon. “We’re proud to spotlight the field of emergency management and the dedicated professionals who work every day to protect lives, strengthen community resilience, and coordinate help when it’s needed most.”

OEM’s Role in Supporting Emergency Management Statewide

OEM plays a key leadership role in supporting and strengthening emergency management across the state. Through its Regional Emergency Management Coordinators Program, OEM employs specialized field staff to support all 36 counties and Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes. These coordinators provide on-the-ground guidance and technical assistance across all phases of emergency management—from preparedness to long-term recovery.
Additionally, OEM’s Tribal Liaison works closely with Tribal Nations to coordinate emergency management initiatives and ensure Tribal needs are represented in state planning and response efforts. The OEM Public Private Partnership Program Manager coordinates and collaborates with business and industry stakeholders across emergency preparedness, response, and recovery operations, serving as a liaison between the private sector and local and state agencies. This collaboration is further reinforced by the Private Sector Security and Resilience Seminar Series; a recurring program of educational sessions designed to inform and engage private sector participants and better equip them to navigate crises effectively and recover swiftly.

OEM also manages the State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC), which is activated during large-scale or multi-jurisdictional emergencies. The ECC serves as a central hub for coordination and communication among state agencies and emergency support partners, ensuring that local needs are met efficiently and effectively.

With responsibility for coordinating Oregon’s 18 Emergency Support Functions and supporting more than 50 local and Tribal emergency management offices, OEM is dedicated to building a resilient and well-coordinated emergency services system.

How to Celebrate Emergency Management Awareness Month

There are many simple ways Oregonians can show support for emergency managers and become more prepared:

• Find out who your local emergency manager is—reach out to learn how your community prepares for disasters.
• Say thank you to your emergency management staff, volunteers, or CERT team members.
• Get prepared: Make or update your emergency kit, sign up for local alerts at ORAlert.gov, review your household emergency plan, and take the next step by becoming Be 2 Weeks Ready.
• Share your story: Use social media to highlight how you or your community prepares and tag #EMAwarenessMonth.

Follow OEM throughout August for resources to help celebrate and share the value of emergency management.
### It is the mission of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) to lead collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters regardless of cause. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem. You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711. 

Nearly 80% of all fires this season have been attributed to human or undetermined causes; the rest were determined to be started by lightning. A large fire is considered any wildfire that burns more than 100 acres in timber or 300 acres of grassland and brush. As always, for the latest fire information visit the NWCC fire website.

If you see a fire call 911.  Also if you are a witness to the start of a fire and can provide information, eye-witness statements, video, photos or any other data, you can assist investigators by emailing them to etips@odf.oregon.gov“>odf.firetips@odf.oregon.gov. This information helps our investigators in creating a full picture of what happened and identify a responsible party if there is one.

 Sign up for emergency alerts  Follow evacuation orders immediately  Don’t park on dry grass

 Keep 30 feet of defensible space around your home  No outdoor burning or fireworks

Fire Season INFO to Know

All Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate.

Here are some links regarding fire info for mainly Oregon.These links are very important and are updated daily.

* Northwest Coordination Centerhttps://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/fire_info.php…

* Central Oregon Fire Info Bloghttps://centraloregonfire.org/

* Lane County/Oregon Fire Updates – FB Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/650665385833845

* Oregon Fires 2025 FB pagehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1481912815460351

* South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership – SCOFMPhttps://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO

* US Forest Service – Deschuteshttps://www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforest

* Rouge Weather – THE DAILY WILDLAND FIRE BRIEFINGhttps://www.facebook.com/RogueWeatherNow…

* Wildfire Trackerhttps://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map

* Watch Duty websitehttps://www.watchduty.org/

* Watch Duty FB Page –https://www.facebook.com/watchdutyapp

* Pacific Aerial Firefighting Aircrafthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/344050713692737/

“We have already experienced several large fires in the state this year and anticipate fire behavior to be progressively more volatile. RIGHT NOW is the time to practice fire prevention and preparedness,” said Michael Curran, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Division Chief.

As we move into the Fourth of July and the holiday weekend, it’s important to remember that forests and fireworks DO NOT MIX. Private use of fireworks is not allowed on forest land, which includes all private lands protected by ODF and all other state and federal forest lands in Oregon. Remember to check any additional city and county firework restrictions as well.

Curran said, “Prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss, firefighting costs, and risk to the lives of our firefighters. We can’t prevent lightning fires, but we can prevent human-caused fires.”

Now is the time to brush up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Tips include:

• Know before you go. Campfires may be banned or only allowed in approved campgrounds.
• Make sure your campfire is cool to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your site. Don’t forget to Drown, Stir, Repeat. 
• Backyard debris burning either requires a burn permit during fire season or is prohibited altogether. If you burned earlier this spring, go back and check on your debris burn site to make sure nothing reignites due to the heat.
• Don’t flick a cigarette onto the ground. It may be just enough to start a fire.
• Don’t park or idle over dried grass.
• Don’t drag tow chains.
• Check local restrictions and fire danger levels.

ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county, state, and federal land in Oregon from wildfire. Fire season is declared at the local level when conditions reach a point where the risk of a fire starting and spreading becomes clear. This year, the Southwest Oregon district was the first to declare on June 1, and the North Cascade District was the last to declare on July 1. For more information on how you can help prevent wildfires, visit keeporegongreen.org.

Swatting Incident Reported by Klamath Falls Police Department

Local law enforcement surrounded a neighborhood in downtown Klamath Falls this past weekend due to false reports of an ongoing violent crime.

Captain Rob Reynolds of the Klamath Falls Police Department stated that the agency received two distinct reports regarding a shooting incident on the 300 block of North Sixth St. on Saturday afternoon.

According to Reynolds, the first caller alleged that a man had shot and killed his wife and was attempting to force open the bathroom door where his son had taken refuge. A second caller indicated that they had heard five or six gunshots in the vicinity, as reported by the police scanner. Reynolds mentioned that the initial report was made to the non-emergency KFPD line from a private number. The second caller was also untraceable and, according to Reynolds, sounded like a child trying to disguise his voice.

In reaction to these calls, S.W.A.T. was dispatched to the area, and a perimeter was set up around the neighborhood by both state and city police.

False reports of this kind are known as “swatting,” which involves making false claims of serious, violent crimes to provoke law enforcement into deploying large-scale responses. The act of swatting can lead to various criminal charges.

Public comment sought on updates to two Medicaid-funded aging and disability services

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ (ODHS) seeks public comment on proposed changes to two Medicaid-funded services.

These amendments will allow ODHS to implement an Agency with Choice service option for in-home consumers and will update the Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) rate methodology for Adult Foster Homes and Residential Care Facilities. These amendments are proposed with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

More information, including the public notice, amendment summary and available drafts of the proposed amendments, are posted on the APD website.

How to comment:

To submit feedback and comments, the public may take one of the following actions:

1. Send an email to Beth.Jackson3@odhs.oregon.gov
2. Send written comments addressed to Oregon Department of Human Services, Attn: Beth Jackson, 500 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97301.
3. Send a fax to 503-947-4245, Attn: Beth Jackson

Deadline: To be considered, feedback must be received by Sept. 1, 2025.

About the amendments

• APD was directed by House Bill 4129 (2024) to create an Agency with Choice (AwC) service model for in-home service options. This model will be added to APD’s in-home service options in Jan. 2026. The detailed requirements for AwC will be in Oregon Administrative Rules. The 1915(k) language will be amended to reference those rules. The 1915(k) will also include a description of how the AwC rates will be developed. Because HB 4129 limits the number of AwC providers to two, APD will specify that limit in the 1915(k). APD will also add AwC to APD’s 1915(b)(4) for case management services.
• APD is also proposing a new way to calculate rates for APD Adult Foster Homes and Residential Care Facilities. The rate methodology for these providers was created in the 1980s and no longer captures the complexity of individuals served in these settings. The new rate methodology will more accurately account for individuals’ needs. The 1915(k) will define the methodology and provider requirements.

BLM seeks input on proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine

VALE, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on a proposed gold mine and processing facility in Malheur County. This is the first draft analysis to adhere to the newly streamlined Department of the Interior National Environmental Policy Act procedures. While publications of a draft or final environmental analysis in the Federal Register are no longer required, information for these projects will be available on project websites.

“This Administration is committed to leveraging every available authority to expedite domestic mineral development,” said Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy. “Our agency is instrumental in driving national economic growth and fostering local employment opportunities.”

The Grassy Mountain gold mine project would be sited on public and private lands approximately 22 miles south of Vale. Construction and processing would occur over 10 years followed by four years of reclamation and 20 years of monitoring.

If approved, Paramount Gold Nevada could develop an underground mine, dedicated mill, and associated storage on approximately 469 acres of BLM-administered land. Additionally, some existing roads would be upgraded to access the operation.

The BLM will hold a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. MT Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Vale District Office, 100 Oregon St., Vale. A virtual attendance option is available. Please contact Larisa Bogardus at ogardus@blm.gov“>lbogardus@blm.gov for details.

Additional information, including the draft environmental impact statement, is available at the BLM National NEPA Register, where comments may be submitted through the ‘Participate Now’ option (preferred). Comments may also be delivered to Attn: Grassy Mountain Gold Mine Project c/o Malheur Field Office, 100 Oregon St., Vale, OR 97918, or submitted to lm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov“>blm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov. The 30-day comment period will close Sept. 8, 2025.

For more information, please call the Vale District Office at 541-473-3144 or email lm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov“>blm_or_vl_grassymtn@blm.gov.

SOME PARKS TO SEE UPDATES TO PARKING FEES AND SEASONAL CAMPING RATES

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is updating some visitor fees at select parks as part of a broader, proactive effort to build a more resilient financial future for Oregon State Parks.

Starting Oct. 1, 2025, Oregon State Parks will no longer waive the parking fee at 21 additional day-use parks. The parking fee is currently $10 for in-state visitors and $12 out-of-state visitors.  

The parking fee does not apply to visitors who walk, bike, use public transportation, have a valid hangtag from camping at an Oregon State Park or a 12 or 24-month parking permit. Currently, OPRD charges for parking at 25 parks and waives parking fees at over 225 parks across the state.

The 21 additional parks include some of the busiest parks in the system such as Harris Beach State Park, which experienced an estimated 2 million day-use visits last year. Visitor fees help pay for maintenance and operation.

Some overnight camping rates will also see updates for visits beginning May 1, 2026:

• Overnight rates at our 29 busiest parks will increase to the top of the current rate range from May 1 through September 30. This increase will apply year round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (Top rate is $29 for tents and $52 for full hook-up RV)

• At all parks:  
• Cabin and yurt prices will increase to the top of the rate range year round. (Top rates vary from $72 for rustic yurts to $129 for deluxe cabins/yurts)
• Boat moorage fees will increase from $15 to $20.
• Overnight parking, overflow camping and primitive camping fees will increase from about $10 to at least $15 per night.

The park system faces a projected 14% budget shortfall due to increasing costs, impacts from record visitation and a reduction in lottery funds for operations. These targeted fee adjustments, along with internal efforts to reduce costs, modernize procurement and explore new revenue, will help maintain current service levels and ensure the system remains strong and accessible now and in the future.

“State parks are some of the most beloved spaces in Oregon, but we have struggled as a state to sustainably fund them. We’re working to reimagine the future of Oregon State Parks as financially resilient system that will serve generations to come,” said Director Lisa Sumption.

State parks has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. It is not funded by general fund taxes.

For visitors looking to save on parking, there are annual and 24-month parking permits available for Oregon State Parks. The 12-month parking permit costs $30 and the 24-month permit costs $50. You can buy them online.  

Oregon State Parks is also collecting feedback to help guide its effort to reimagine a stronger resilient park system. The surveyincludes priorities for new and existing experiences, services and amenities as well as views on public-private partnerships, sponsorships and other funding options.