VIDEO: In a significant development for forest fire management, new technologies are playing a crucial role in reducing the impact of wildfires in Oregon. The state has implemented 24/7 surveillance cameras and deployed multiple aircraft to assist firefighters on the ground. In 2023, Oregon experienced a record-breaking 1,731 fires, primarily in the western region. To address this, the state installed advanced cameras to detect and respond to fires more quickly.
“We’ve made some improvements to our dispatch center here recently,” said John Deegan, Protection Unit Forester for Western Lane District of Oregon Department of Forestry. “We do have some cameras that provide detection for us out in the woods. Although human eyes are also a very good benefit, that’s what we relied on for years, the cameras kind of just bolster that.” This year, the Oregon Department of Forestry has responded to 697 fires on protected land, with just over 13,000 acres burned. This is a significant reduction compared to the 260,636 acres burned in 2024, largely due to the new detection programs.
“So when the smoke comes up it notifies the operator and says, this one’s looking weird, you need to take a look,” said Jessica Neujahr, PIO for Oregon Department of Forestry. “The operator from that can map out, about within a mile of where that fire is, and then can send it out to dispatch. Dispatch then sends out a crew to go and assess the fire, then can begin that early attack efforts.”
