Brad Withrow-Robinson, OSU Forestry & Natural Resources Extension, Benton, Linn and Polk Counties.
This season’s wildfires have been devastating to western Oregon.
I recognize the suffering this has brought to so many individuals and communities. The fires affected many individuals and communities in our reading area and adjacent counties.
Many groups and agencies continue to muster information and resources to help people rebound from the fires. Each group or agency is focusing on its area of responsibility and strength, while coordinating with others for the most effective response possible. The effort stretches from the needs of individual landowners to landscape issues that will affect water quality, infrastructure, public safety and forest recovery.
Extension’s Post Fire Response
Among the organizations responding is OSU Forestry & Natural Resources Extension, through its new statewide Fire Program.
Our immediate emphasis has been helping people with forestlands and related natural resources impacted by the fires. If that includes you or people you know, please visit the Fire Program website where you will find a series of webinars addressing key post-fire issues:
- After the Fire – Now what?
- Hazard tree awareness and erosion in post-fire landscapes
- Assessing tree mortality and salvage logging
- Reforestation and restoration
- Tax issues relating to fire
The series has concluded, but all webinars were recorded. You can find them, as well as companion resources on the topic at the Fire Program Online Webinar Guide .
Other resources including an interactive website to help landowners navigate issues, programs and agencies relating to the fire issues are in the works. Stay tuned.
