PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon’s entire Congressional delegation is calling on the federal government to unlock more resources for fighting devastating wildfires as more than a million acres have been scorched with worsening conditions forecasted on the horizon.
In a joint letter, the U.S. lawmakers urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to approve Governor Tina Kotek’s request for a disaster declaration for numerous Oregon counties facing “increasingly devastating fires.” They’re also calling on approving Kotek’s request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to funnel more resources into targeting agricultural communities who have been particularly impacted throughout the state
‘Coraline’ cats invades Portland streets
The lawmakers who signed the joint letter in a bi-partisan plea include U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D) and Ron Wyden (D), alongside U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D), Suzanne Bonamici (D), Val Hoyle (D), Andrea Salinas (D), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R), and Cliff Bentz (R).