Oregon

Oregon House Republicans target forests for wildfire reform as grass and shrubland burns – Salem Reporter

Published

3 months ago

September 6, 2024

Oregon House Republicans target forests for wildfire reform as grass and shrubland burns – Salem Reporter

As Oregon heads into another hot weekend, Oregon House Republicans are calling on the state Legislature to reform forest management and logging policies they say would prevent large fires from starting and spreading.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Republican Reps. Jeff Helfrich of Hood River, Ed Diehl of Stayton, and E. Werner Reschke of Klamath Falls said lawmakers should roll back regulations and conservation plans to allow more logging on state forests, limit liabilities for volunteer firefighters who might cause injury or property damage while on the job and prohibit and sweep homeless encampments in fire prone areas.

“We all support responsible environmental practices that protect our forests for future generations,” said Reschke in a statement. “But these fires are the result of 40 years of bad policy choices that have gone past conservation and put the lives of Oregonians at risk.”

About 1,650 wildfires this season have burned a record of more than 1.5 million acres in Oregon. But about 75% were not in forests but across grass and shrubland in eastern Oregon, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute.

The Republicans also called out the state’s landmark Western State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan that was narrowly approved by the Oregon Board of Forestry in March after years of negotiation, saying it has “prevented responsible logging in much of the state.” The plan, which has not been fully implemented and is still awaiting federal approval, would reduce logging by about 20% in 14 western Oregon counties for the next 70 years to protect 17 threatened or endangered species.

“Oregon’s war on the timber industry must end,” the Republicans wrote. “The logging industry plays a vital role in clearing out deadwood and decreasing the severity of fires. Seven sawmills have closed this year due to anti-business policies. Republicans support reforming burdensome regulations while treating the lumber industry as partners in conservation.”

Forests one piece of the puzzle

In response, Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, and chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire, told the Capital Chronicle in an email that he’s heartened his Republican colleagues want to take on wildfire policy, but he said calling for regulatory rollbacks on logging in Coast Range forests is not the solution.

“It’s true that better forest management is one piece of the puzzle. At the same time, it’s vital to base wildfire strategies on careful thinking and good science. Broad-brushed claims that more commercial logging will reduce our risk don’t clear that bar,” Golden said.

He added that forests that pose the greatest wildfire hazards are typically in parts of the state with dry, brush-filled areas and generally not in areas with commercially valuable timber. Those stands, often in western Oregon, tend to withstand and survive fires without making them more intense, according to Golden.

“If the goal is reducing mega-fires, decisions about increased logging have to hinge on the fuel characteristics and topography of specific sites, not a generalized belief that fewer trees = less fire,” he said.

A multi-year study of forest treatments such as commercial thinning and prescribed fire across Western states found wildfire only occurs on about 1% of treated forests, and that it’s largely ineffective, because those treatments last only about 10 to 20 years before fuels grow back. Studies have shown thinning and prescribed burning around homes and cities can be effective at keeping wildfires from moving quickly into communities.

The Republicans also called on disbanding homeless encampments near wildfire prone areas, saying some wildfires in Oregon have started because of these encampments. Nicholas Poche, a spokesperson for the House Republicans cited the 78-acre Mile Marker 132 fire near Bend and the Darlene 3 fire near La Pine this summer as two fires that investigators suspect were started at homeless encampments.

Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the Portland-based Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, but this year the bulk of fires have started from natural causes, such as lightning.

Two bills

The Republicans also called for more support for firefighters through two bills they proposed in 2023 that did not go anywhere. One, House Bill 2491, would have limited civil liabilities for any injuries or property damage caused by volunteer wildfire fighters while at work. The other, House Bill 2953, would have allowed the Oregon Department of Forestry to set the procedures for fighting fires on federal lands within the state. The Republicans lamented in their letter that neither bill received a hearing during the 2023 Legislative session.

The Oregon Department of Forestry already has cooperative agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to collaborate on wildfire fighting, including procedures for federal land. Federal agencies reimburse the Oregon department of Forestry for its work on those fires.

Golden said he brought leaders from the Oregon Department of Forestry to a hearing on a meeting on House Bill 2953 last summer, to explain to legislators that the bill was redundant and that cooperation procedures already existed.

Still, Golden said, he agrees overall with his Republican colleagues’ call for more support for firefighters and more financial support for wildfire prevention and response.

“To make that real, I hope they’ll join me in pushing for more reliable and adequate sources of wildfire funding, which is a politically difficult conversation,” he said.

Golden has proposed reintroducing a tax on the value of timber harvests – the severance tax – to fund wildfire prevention and response in the state. Reporting from the Oregonian, Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica found counties lost at least $3 billion in revenue in the three decades since the timber severance tax was eliminated in Oregon in the early 1990s.

“I know my colleagues feel deeply about this issue and the need to protect their communities. We all do. So I’m hoping we can all commit to the kind of dialogue that moves us towards solutions rather than stalemate,” Golden said.

Helfrich also called for bipartisan cooperation.

“The Legislature should make a good-faith, bipartisan effort to reform its forestry management approach to better balance safety and concern for the environment. Doing so will benefit all those who live under the risk of wildfires,” Helfrich said in a statement.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: [email protected]. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter.

STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].

Alex Baumhardt has been a national radio producer focusing on education for American Public Media since 2017. She has reported from the Arctic to the Antarctic for national and international media, and from Minnesota and Oregon for The Washington Post. She previously worked in Iceland and Qatar and was a Fulbright scholar in Spain where she earned a master’s degree in digital media. She’s been a kayaking guide in Alaska, farmed on four continents and worked the night shift at several bakeries to support her reporting along the way.

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Oregon

Oregon State vs Washington State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Week 13 game

Published

3 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Oregon State vs Washington State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Week 13 game

Oregon State will look to salvage its disappointing season this weekend in the final home game of the year.

The Beavers (4-6) will return to Reser Stadium as they host Washington State (8-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday in a clash of Pac-12 rivals.

After a promising start to the year, Oregon State has cratered during the final month of the season and is in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Last week, the Beavers suffered one of the worst losses in recent program history during a 28-0 loss at Air Force.

“Last week was obviously very disappointing; we did not play well in any phase of the game,” Oregon State head coach Trent Bray said Monday. “We’ve gotta look at what we’re doing, what we’re asking them to do and what they do well and get that fixed immediately. That was really the first game that was disappointing to watch us play. I think every other game this year we’re in close games, we’re competing, we’re at it. That wasn’t it on Saturday, and that’s disappointing.”

Watch Oregon State football vs. Washington State live on Fubo (free trial)

Watch Oregon State football vs. Washington State live on Sling TV

Oregon State vs Washington State score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins.

Oregon State vs Washington State time today

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon

What channel is Oregon State vs Washington State game on today?

TV channel: The CW
Radio: KEJO (1240 AM, 93.7 FM, Corvallis), KKNX (840 AM, 105.1 FM, Eugene), KBZY (1490 AM, Salem), KEX (1190 AM, Portland).
Streaming: Fubo (free trial), Watch ESPN

Oregon State vs. Washington State will be broadcast nationally on The CW in Week 13 of the 2024 college football season. Ted Robinson and Ryan Lead will call the game from the booth from Reser Stadium, with Nigel Burton reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Oregon State vs Washington State history

Series record: Washington State leads, 57-47-3
Oregon State’s last win: 2022 (24-10, in Corvallis)
Washington State’s last win: 2023 (38-35, in Pullman, Wash.)

Oregon State vs Washington State betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Friday:

Spread: Washington State by 11.5
Over/under: 56.5
Moneyline: Washington State -450, Oregon State +340

Oregon State vs Washington State weather update

Saturday’s forecast for Corvallis calls for a high of 51 with a temperature of about 48 degrees and a 24% chance of rain at kickoff.

Oregon State football 2024 schedule

Aug. 31 — Idaho State (W, 38-15)
Sept. 7 — at San Diego State (W, 21-0)
Sept. 14 — Oregon (L, 49-14)
Sept. 21 — Purdue (W, 38-21)
Oct. 5 — Colorado State (W, 39-21)
Oct. 12 — at Nevada (L, 42, 37)
Oct. 19 — UNLV (L, 33-25)
Oct 26 — at California (L, 44-7)
Nov. 9 — San Jose State (L, 24-13)
Nov. 16 — at Air Force (L, 28-0)
Nov. 23 — Washington State
Nov. 29 — at Boise State
Record: 4-6

Washington State football 2024 schedule

Aug. 31 — Portland State (W, 70-30)
Sept. 7 — Texas Tech (W, 37-16)
Sept. 14 — at Washington (W, 24-19)
Sept. 20 — San Jose State (W, 52-52 2 OT)
Sept. 28 — at Boise State (L, 45-24)
Oct. 12 — at Fresno State (W, 25-17)
Oct. 19 — Hawai’i (W, 42-10)
Oct. 26 — at San Diego State (W, 29-26)
Nov. 9 — Utah State (W, 49-28)
Nov. 16 — at New Mexico (L, 38-35)
Nov. 23 — at Oregon State
Nov. 30 — Wyoming
Record: 8-2

Oregon State football news

Oregon State’s abysmal 2024 football season reaches new low with loss to Air Force

(Men’s basketball) ‘We learned quite a lesson;’ Oregon State shows signs of progress in close loss to Oregon

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney.

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Oregon

GAME DAY CENTRAL – Washington State vs Oregon State

Published

11 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

GAME DAY CENTRAL – Washington State vs Oregon State

Who: Washington State (8-2) vs Oregon State (4-6)

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Reser Stadium – Corvallis, Ore.

Coaches: Trent Bray (1st season, 4-6) vs Jake Dickert (23-18, 4th year, 3rd full)

Spread: Washington State -11.5

How to watch: The CW

How to listen: CLICK HERE

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***JOIN THE LIVE BEAVERSEDGE CHAT WITH OUR STAFF HERE***

Oregon State By The Numbers

3 – Kicks and punts blocked by OSU’s special teams this year, tied for eighth nationally.

5 – Current Beavers who recorded a statistic in last season’s game against Washington State, four of which came on defense. The fifth was punter Josh Green.

14 – Rushing scores for Anthony Hankerson this season, tying him with Jacquizz Rodgers for seventh at OSU.

19 – Players the Beavers will be honoring pre-game as part of Senior Day.33:23 – Oregon State’s time of possession, which ranks fifth nationally. The Beavers dropped almost two minutes after holding the ball just 18:04 at Air Force.

54 – Career starts for Joshua Gray, who was recently invited to the East-West Shrine Game. The 54 starts are an OSU career record.

65 – Catches for Trent Walker this season. He needs five for the 15th 70-yard reception season ever by a Beaver.

111 – Rush yards needed by Anthony Hankerson for the 19th 1,000-yard season effort in Oregon State history.

Against Washington State

– Oregon State and Washington State have played every year dating back to 2003.

– Oregon State snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Cougars with a 24-10 victory in 2022 in Corvallis. Prior to the eight-game losing streak, however, the Beavers had won three straight, six-of-seven and eight-of-10 from 2004 to 2013.

– Deshaun Fenwick had 101 rush yards and three touchdowns in last season’s 38-35 loss. The Cougars took a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter but OSU scored 21 in the final 15.

– Head Coach Trent Bray attended Pullman High School. His father, Craig, coached in two different stints at Washington State, in 1987, and then again from 1994-99. Bray’s mother, Kaprice, was also the Head Coach for volleyball at Washington State in 1985.

– Sean Mannion’s 493 passing yards in the 2013 game marks the Oregon State single-game record. He followed that up with 419 yards a year later.

– Jake Luton had one of 17 400-yard efforts in OSU history when he passed for 408 in 2019.

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Oregon

No. 22 Illinois seniors too much for Oregon State as Beavers lose their third straight in women’s basketball

Published

20 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

No. 22 Illinois seniors too much for Oregon State as Beavers lose their third straight in women’s basketball

Oregon State couldn’t maintain momentum from a spirited first half as No. 22 Illinois ran away after halftime and defeated the Beavers 85-66 in women’s basketball in Champaign, Ill.

Illinois, leading by 10 at halftime, outscored OSU 29-14 during the third quarter to put the game away.

Oregon State (1-4) dropped its third consecutive game, all to Power 4 conference opponents. AJ Marotte scored 16 points and Catarina Ferreira had 15 to lead the Beavers. Ferreira also grabbed 11 rebounds.

OSU shot 39% in the game, and 7 of 29 from three-point range.

Kendall Bostic and Makira Cook combined to score 51 of Illinois’ 85 points. Bostic, a senior forward, hit 15 of 18 shots and scored 31 points, while Cook, a senior guard, had 20 points and eight assists. Genesis Bryant, another senior guard, scored 12.

Illinois (5-0) made 55% of its shots, hitting 35 of 64.

Oregon State never led in the game, but kept contact throughout the first half. The Beavers got as close as 27-20 on a layup by Marotte with 5:13 left in the second quarter. A three-pointer by Kelsey Rees with 44 seconds left before halftime trimmed the deficit to 10.

Illinois cranked up its offense during the third quarter, and OSU couldn’t keep up. Illinois hit eight of its first nine shots, four by Bostic, as it rolled to a 46-28 lead with 2:18 left in the third. The lead swelled to 28 points during the second half before Oregon State scored some late points to reduce the final margin.

Oregon State heads to the Bahamas, where it will face No. 2 Connecticut in the Continental Tire Baha Mar Championship at 4:30 p.m. Monday.

–Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.

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