Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... Rogue Valley pair hope supporters will breathe life into 'Don't Die' ... Mail Tribune 100: Oct. 19, 1915 ... RCC lands $14.6 million job-training grant for low-income students ... WILDFIRE SEASON Cost of fighting fires ODF has spent $200 million statewide over two years Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated May 27, 2015 at 5:21 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated May 27, 2015 at 5:21 PM » Social News Fighting Oregon wildfires over the past two years has cost so much money that the Oregon Department of Forestry's insurance deductible more than doubled — to $50 million for 2015. ODF has a rare insurance policy with Lloyd's of London — the same house that has insured everything from the Titanic to Rihanna's legs — that pays out $25 million toward the cost of fighting fires each year once the deductible has been met. “We’re not just the only state, we’re the only entity in the world that has this kind of policy,” says Tim Keith, administrator of the state's Land Protection Fund. ODF spent $200 million on wildland firefighting statewide in 2013 and 2014, prompting Lloyd's of London to raise both the deductible, which was $20 million, and the premium, which increased from about $2 million last year to $3.75 million this year. Keith says ODF had the option to keep the deductible at $25 million, but the premium would have more than quadrupled. Wildfires in southwestern Oregon alone cost ODF $79 million over the past two years, and if dry conditions persist, 2015 could be just as costly — or worse. Officials at ODF's Southwest Oregon District say drought conditions, a lackluster snowpack and the inevitable likelihood of lightning are expected to contribute to another busy and expensive fire season. "We feel pretty well-oriented for another active year," says spokesman Brian Ballou. "It's not what we want, but it's what we've got." ODF's southwest office protects 1.8 million acres of county, state, private and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties and close to 16 million acres statewide. In 2013, ODF responded to 348 fires that scorched about 43,078 acres in the southwest district. Last year it fought 281 fires that burned a collective 9,559 acres, the majority of which — 8,306 acres — came from Jackson County's portion of the Oregon Gulch fire. That blaze damaged more than 35,000 acres in a wide swath that included Klamath County and Northern California. Fire season, which triggers restrictions such as when and where industrial equipment can be operated, generally begins in mid-June, but it could start earlier if a drying trend continues and lightning poses a significant threat. The National Weather Service predicts thunderstorms in Jackson County as early as Friday, though rain may ease the dry conditions. The long-term forecast through August is expected to be dry, however. "I t’s all warmer than normal. Everything’s warmer than normal coming up here,” says National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sandler. Ballou says ODF is currently operating at about one-third strength, as most seasonal wildland firefighters aren't fully geared up to go until the middle of June. The state-contracted air tanker and helicopters that drop retardant and water on fires typically don't arrive until early July. Two helicopters will be stationed at the ODF Medford office, with a third in Merlin. "Now, if fire danger is ahead of schedule, those dates can be moved," Ballou says, adding they can also call for air service as needed from other providers such as Erickson and Timberland. "We're always able to find someone that's got a ship available." ODF has 22 wildland fire engines and three bulldozers split between Medford and Grants Pass. They also continue to work closely with local city and county fire agencies when smaller grass fires pop up. "We're pretty comfortable. We're able to handle what would likely come at us," Ballou says. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted May. 27, 2015 at 4:00 PM Updated May 27, 2015 at 5:21 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501