State of Oregon: Oregon Department of Forestry

Text Size: A+| A-| A | Text Only Site | Accessibility

Oregon Department of Forestry

Department

Interagency school trains new firefighters for the upcoming fire season

Photo of firefighter trainees battling live fire in field exercise during the Interagency Fire School in 2008

Firefighters learn skills needed for safe wildfire suppression

For the 10th consecutive year, the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde are hosting the interagency school, preparing future firefighters for the rigors of fighting fire, both in Oregon's forests and in rural-urban interface areas. The week-long fire school provides classroom training in basic fire behavior, map and compass use, teamwork, safety, use of engines, tools, and hose lays, and fire investigation, and culminates in a live fire exercise to test what students have learned and their suppression and mop-up skills.

More information about the Interagency Fire School

Spotlight on ODF

Live near trees? Is your home protected from wildfire?
A photo of a home with wildfire and smoke in the background

Learn more about home wildfire safety and how to create defensible space around your home - increasing your chances of your residence surviving a wildfire. Also, find out about safe debris burning and alternatives to burning, campfire and barbecue safety, wildfire-safe tips for off-road riding and fireworks, and the latest technology in wildfire detection - aerial and look-out fire detection cameras.

Home Wildfire Safety Tips

Camping in northwest Oregon's state forests
A photo of a campsite at the Shelburg Falls Campground in the Santiam State Forest

Many campgrounds in northwest Oregon's state forests opened for Memorial Day weekend. Most campgrounds in the Tillamook State Forest - Reehers Camp, Gales Creek, Elk Creek, Nehalem Falls, Jones Creek, Jordan Creek, and Keenig Creek - opened on May 21. Browns Camp opened on May 1 and Stagecoach Horse Camp is closed for renovations. Campgrounds in the Santiam State Forest also officially opened on May 22, and in the Clatsop State Forest, Northrup Creek Campground opened on May 23. Henry Rierson Spruce Run and the Gnat Creek Campgrounds are open year round, although, due to flood damage, only three sites are available at this time at Gnat Creek.

Fire Information

Current Topics
A working forest in Douglas County

ODF Resources and Services

Agency Information
A road through a thinned state forest stand

Economic Stimulus and Recovery Opportunity for Oregon's Forests

Oregon has a tremendous opportunity to enhance our forests and create jobs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - "The Oregon Way" - and State Economic Recovery dollars signed into law by Governor Kulongoski to fund critical maintenance and construction projects at public facilities throughout Oregon - "Go Oregon!"

Oregon will celebrate its 150th birthday in 2009!

Oregon will be 150 years old and the Oregon Department of Forestry will be helping to celebrate! Get on the least-exclusive guest list around! Stay up-to-date with the Oregon 150 e-newsletter for all things sesquicentennial. And learn more about how you can "Sustain the Spirit" at the Oregon 150 website.

Tillamook Forest Center

Effective Friday, May 22, 2009 - SUMMER HOURS: The Tillamook Forest Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Visit us today and "find yourself in the forest!"

Tillamook Forest Center website

Forest History Center

The Forest History Center on ODF's Salem Campus is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., and at other times by appointment. Stop by and learn more about Oregon's forest past.

Forest History Center webpage