As temperatures rise and winds dry the forestlands of Southwest Oregon, officials recently assessed the onset of a fire season with the dual challenge of continuing drought and COVID-19.
In a conference call organized by Curry County Commissioner Court Boice, a half dozen public agency officials shared insight into the special challenges of the 2020 fire season, including the need to plan for response that includes social distancing and the potential of engaging with fire crews and community members who suffer from active cases of the virus.
Budget reductions and training time lost because of shutdowns since mid-March further complicate the situation.
Still, officials with public agencies responsible for managing public lands and responding to wildfire seemed optimistic.