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Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek asks Biden for federal help after historic wildfire season

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Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek asks Biden for federal help after historic wildfire season


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Gov. Tina Kotek is asking the federal government to declare a major disaster following a historic wildfire season on the east side of the state.

Kotek sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting the declaration, which could free up grants to help pay for costs “incurred for responding and recovering from wildfires” between July 10 and Sept. 7, the letter said.

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The Oregon wildfire season saw 1.9 million acres burned, which broke the previous record of 1.2 million acres set in 2012. The fires were predominantly on the east side of the state and burned in large rangeland and grassland areas.

“I am asking President Biden and the federal government to provide relief to the rural Oregon communities who weathered an unprecedented, destructive wildfire season,” Kotek said in a statement. “Our rural communities are still in profound crisis as a result of this season, and I am resolved to secure the federal assistance needed for Oregon to recover and rebuild.”

The request applies to six Oregon counties — Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Umatilla, Wasco and Wheeler. Those areas were hit by multiple megafires, blazes that grew over 100,000 acres, and experienced significant damage to utility poles and lines, resulting in power, communication and internet outages, Kotek said.  

Oregon’s congressional delegation echoed her call for relief and urged Biden to grant the request.

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“The 2024 wildfire season has been one of the most devastating and costly fire seasons on record,” U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Cliff Bentz, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas and Lori Chavez-DeRemer wrote in a letter to the president.

Fires destroyed at least 42 homes and 132 other structures, according to data from Northwest Coordination Center.

If approved, the declaration would provide federal grants for state, tribal, local governments and certain private nonprofits for costs incurred for responding and recovering from wildfires between July 10 and Sept. 7.

Kotek also requested that Biden waive the state’s share of the cost for emergency work in response to the disaster.

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“The rural counties impacted by the wildfires have limited resources to support the standard share of the cost and the magnitude of state resources deployed across Oregon means state funding is insufficient to reimburse these communities,” the news release said.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.



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Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment

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Oregon National Guard troops begin demobilization after federal Title 10 deployment


The 100 Oregon National Guard troops who were federalized under Title 10, have begun demobilization activities, according to Governor Kotek’s office and U.S. Northern Command.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | Oregon National Guard troops deployed under Title 10 orders

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” U.S. Northern Command stated on their website.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek released a statement reading in part, “The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.”

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The troops will travel to Fort Bliss, Texas to finish their demobilization before returning home to Oregon.

Oregon troops spent a majority of their time training at Camp Rilea on the Oregon Coast.

Read Governor Kotek’s full statement below:

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family. These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo.

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power.

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“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

The court injunction that prevents guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.



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More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon

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More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon


(UPDATE: added videos and quotes from Todd Mcgee, Owner of Powderhouse)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With snow already piling onto the mountains, more people are flocking to Central Oregon. With businesses seeing more people now than ever before this season.

Todd Mcgee, owner of Powderhouse told KTVZ News, “It’s a lot more in the fact if you think about it, was Christmas break where we should be slammed? we’re as busy or even busier then on a Monday than we were on christmas, you know, weekend. so it’s a huge, significant amount.” 

Ski and snowboard rentals tell you much about how busy of a time it is.

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The busier the rental shops, the busier the mountains are.

“A ton more season leases. and the nice thing about our rentals, when they’re coming back, they’re looking in good shape,” Mcgee told KTVZ News. “We’re not having to stay late and tune them and P-TEX them and get them all back looking nice.”

Powderhouse still has its day and a half turnaround to have equipment ready to go.

Iif you’re still looking to rent equipment, now’s the time to do it.

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Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’

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Gary Danielson talks Indiana football vs. Oregon rematch: ‘They seemed to not take IU seriously’


Gary Danielson just retired from calling college football games for decades, including this season’s Indiana at Oregon matchup on Oct. 11.

The Hoosiers (14-0) handed the then-No. 3 Ducks their only loss, 30-20, on the way to the nation’s No. 1 ranking heading into their Peach Bowl game Friday.

Danielson, who played quarterback at Purdue from 1970-72 before an 11-year NFL career, believes Oregon will be more focused for this game.

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The Ducks came into the matchup off an idle week after a double-overtime win over then-No. 3 Penn State at State College, Pennsylvania. Danielson sensed they were still basking in the glow of that win.

“I think Oregon will be very focused for this football game,” he said Monday on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “When Indiana beat them in Oregon, which is a tough place to play, Oregon was coming off their celebration for beating Penn State. Honestly, when we did our interviews, I was struck that they couldn’t get off the Penn State story. … They seemed to not take IU seriously. They’ll take them seriously for this game.”

Though IU made the College Football Playoff last season, some believed the Hoosiers were a one-year wonder, Danielson said.

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“They were considered a fraud from their 2024 finish,” he said. “They weren’t frauds, but they weren’t ready for the big-time stage yet. I thought they were focused this year,” especially on defense.

The Hoosiers lost at Notre Dame in the first-round of last season’s CFP.

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.



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