Oregon Governor Kotek surveys wildfire damage and National Guard operations

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, alongside state forestry and military leaders, conducted an aerial survey of active wildfires and burn damage across the state. The delegation traveled between Salem and Pendleton to assess the impact of the Grasshopper, Cottonwood, Austin, and Narrows fires.

During the tour, officials visited the Army Aviation Support Facility in Pendleton, which houses the Oregon Army National Guard’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter fleet. Governor Kotek met with service members and received operational briefings regarding the Hagen and Paradise blazes.

Approximately 100 National Guard personnel have completed 35 days of continuous operations this season, contributing roughly 390 flight hours and dropping approximately 1.4 million gallons of water on active fires. Despite containment progress, officials warned that elevated fire conditions and risks are expected to persist through September.