OSFM Awards Wildfire Staffing Grant Funds to Applegate Valley Fire District 9
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has awarded nearly $6 million in grants to boost response staffing across the state in preparation for the upcoming wildfire season.
The agency’s 2026 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant was awarded to 180 local fire agencies, including the Applegate Valley Rural Fire Protection District 9 in Jackson County. The grant provides up to $35,000 to bring on extra firefighters through October.
Fire agencies can use the funding to hire seasonal firefighters or pay for additional shift work. The goal of the grant is to reduce response times and keep fires small and from impacting Oregon communities.
Smaller, rural fire agencies that may depend on volunteers for response are prioritized in the grant process. The wildfire season staffing grant is in its fifth year and each summer proves to be a valuable investment in the Oregon fire service.
Posted on 5/1/26 11:50AM by Alex Bauer
