The Oregon Department of Forestry鈥檚 move comes after fire season was declared in the state鈥檚 central and southern counties, and a heat wave during the first weekend of summer created dry conditions.
The recent wet spring weather delayed Oregon鈥檚 fire season, giving Oregon crews time to fight fires in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California and Alaska.
鈥淲e seized and utilized that opportunity to keep our firefighters trained, keep our firefighters sharp, mentally and physically. All in all we鈥檙e hoping to have a better, more well-rounded firefighting force in Oregon when fire season really does turn on here,鈥� said Blake Ellis, the fire operations manager at ODF.
Ellis said that agencies are still looking for recruits in Medford, in the Willamette Valley and across the state.
Oregon鈥檚 fire season now includes. The Willowcreek Fire burned roughly 40,000 acres in its first day.
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