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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 Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... Our View: Protect pristine headwaters from nickel mining ... Bumper crop ... Growers and Crafters Market searching for new homes ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Wildfire cost breakdowns vary blaze to blaze Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jun. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I've been following efforts to extinguish the Buckskin fire with interest, but something I've noticed lacking, at least in comparison with past stories, is the cost. Care to enlighten me? I'm sure it's in the millions. It also would be helpful to see a breakdown of some kind for where the money is going. Thanks. — No name given Costs would be an important thing to include. After all, we're technically footing the bill as taxpayers, right? On Tuesday, June 23, officials on the fire told us the cost had risen to nearly $6.8 million — $6,788,126, to be exact. As to the second part of your question, that's a bit tougher, because the costs and fund allocations are still fluid, always being added to and shifting as firefighting efforts continue. Looking to past wildfires doesn't help much either, as there is no basic formula for designating where the dollars flow to. "It's kind of hard because it depends on the scale of the fire," says Oregon Department of Forestry spokesman Brian Ballou. "It's kind of hard to draw a normal average. There are just so many variables." Typically, Ballou adds, the majority of funds are going to personnel, though this can change if aircraft are involved. The aircraft could be owned by the fire agency, but it can also be on a contract or can be called when needed. These "call-when-needed" aircraft typically cost a lot more, Ballou says. "It can range from $3,000 per hour all the way up to $12,000 or $13,000 per hour, depending on the size of the helicopter and whether it's on contact," he says. The burn's remoteness and access to it also need to be considered. "I wish I could say there was a normal, but there's really not," Ballou says. "It just depends on the situation and what you've got to use get the job done. It's an expensive enterprise, no doubt, but we use whatever we've got to use to get the job done." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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