As part of Wildfire Awareness Month, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) met with local leaders, small business owners, and community members today to discuss wildfire preparedness for the upcoming wildfire season in Deschutes County.

Rep. Bynum held a roundtable and a press conference with fire chiefs as well as state and federal partners at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Station to discuss Central Oregon’s wildfire preparedness and prevention efforts. She also met with local business leaders to discuss the impacts wildfires have on Central Oregon businesses.

“Wildfires pose more and more of a threat every year for Oregonians,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’ve been working to make sure that we’re equipped to prevent and respond to wildfires in Congress. I know that’s just one piece of the puzzle, so today, I sat down with leaders and community members across Deschutes County to ensure our communities have what they need to stay safe.”

You can watch Rep. Bynum’s remarks from the press conference HERE and read them below.

I want to begin by thanking all of the people we have here today who are working to keep us safe from wildfires.

As we all know, wildfires are no longer seasonal. They are year-round threats that are growing more intense, more destructive, and more dangerous for the communities we serve and the first responders we rely on.

And here in Central Oregon, we’re entering the summer with heightened risk. That means we need more training, stronger mitigation efforts, increased public education, and deeper regional coordination.

It is my hope that meetings like the one we had today will leave us better prepared and better protected from wildfires.

On top of days like today, I’m also fighting in Congress to help our first responders save lives and property. I just requested over $300,000 for THIS fire district to expand their wildfire resiliency programs. I also requested over $2 million for the Redmond Fire District to invest in its firefighting equipment.

I’ve also been working to make sure our firefighters don’t face unnecessary delays. I introduced and passed the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act to ensure that our aerial wildfire response is not just fast, but safe, coordinated, and effective.

And that work doesn’t stop when the fires are out. We have to help our communities rebuild, help families who’ve lost their homes, and help businesses recover.

That’s why I introduced and also passed the Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act. The bill makes sure that when families are trying to rebuild, the federal government isn’t taking a cut of their relief.

Together, we will do everything we can to defend Central Oregon from the destruction of wildfires. I’m committed to continuing this work alongside all of you. I’m grateful for your partnership, your expertise, and your dedication.

Thank you.

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