The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced today a $10 million investment in landscape‑resiliency projects across four counties – Douglas, Grant, Jackson and Josephine. The funding will target more than 6,400 acres, reducing hazardous fuels, restoring fire‑adapted ecosystems and safeguarding local communities from catastrophic wildfires.
Why the investment matters
Wildfires have already burned over 2 million acres in Oregon this year. Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard stressed that proactive, responsibly managed acres are the most effective way to lower wildfire risk around homes and improve the long‑term health of the state’s forests and rangelands. “Every responsibly managed acre helps reduce wildfire risk around communities and improves the long‑term health of Oregon’s forests and rangelands,” Barnard said.
Key projects and funding allocations
In Douglas County, ODF is committing $1.29 million to the Little River Landscape Resiliency Project. The plan will establish strategic fuel breaks along Lane Mountain, the Little River drainage and Cavitt Creek, improving firefighter access and lowering fire intensity in high‑risk zones.
The Hotshot Rx Connect project in Josephine and Jackson counties will receive $4.85 million. Funds will be used to thin dense forest stands and conduct prescribed burns on nearly 2,700 acres, creating healthier forests and clearer emergency‑access routes.
Grant County’s John Day Landscape Resiliency Project is slated for $3.46 million. The money will support forest thinning, removal of water‑competitive junipers and long‑term wildfire‑risk planning across 3,400 acres. A recent 57‑acre prescribed burn on private ponderosa pine near Monument demonstrated the collaborative approach, involving Oregon State University, the Soil and Water Conservation Service and local landowners.
Science‑based tools and collaborative effort
ODF forest entomologist Christine Buhl explained that the agency is developing new diagnostic tools to help landowners practice adaptive management. “ODF is improving methods to enhance landscape resiliency to better protect our forests from large disturbance events,” Buhl said. These tools will identify site‑specific climate stressors and guide owners in thinning, planting and prescribed‑burn decisions.
The effectiveness of coordinated treatments was evident during the 27,491‑acre Akawa Butte Fire. Areas that had been thinned and treated allowed firefighters to operate from safer roadways and conduct rapid back‑burns, saving valuable time and reducing fire intensity. Grant Nelson, ODF’s state initiatives grant coordinator, noted that treated zones saw a higher percentage of trees survive the blaze.
Looking ahead
The current round of investments aligns ODF’s priorities with the USDA Forest Stewardship Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The partnership will guide future funding and expand landscape‑resiliency planning statewide.
Landowners and local partners interested in future projects are encouraged to contact their regional ODF office for guidance and participation opportunities.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
