Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season brings record costs

Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season brings record costs

A new report by the Oregon Department of Forestry shows the cost of battling this year’s wildfire season has hit a record high, with officials estimating the total costs at about $236.2 million, as of Aug. 20.

Five Things to Know About Record Wildfire Season

Oregon's unfinished fire season is the most destructive ever, burning more than 2.5 million acres and choking off clean air across the state. At the same time, Oregonians may misunderstand some aspects of the wildfire crisis, which could leave communities unprepared as fire seasons grow longer and more intense year after year. The Oregon Journalism Project analyzed recent data updated Aug....