Lars Larson: Will Oregon learn or burn?

By Lars Larson
NW and national radio host,

California’s deadly wildfires, still raging, offer critical lessons to Oregon and Washington—if their leaders are willing to listen. The Northwest has grown accustomed to annual fires that burn an average of a million acres, a stark contrast to the era when loggers maintained healthy forests, preventing major fires for over three decades. However, environmental extremists ended that practice, leaving forests vulnerable, just as they have in Los Angeles neighborhoods.

Each time fires devastate these states, they turn to the federal government for massive aid. Yesterday, House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed federal assistance for fire-ravaged California, but with conditions. “Obviously, there has been water mismanagement, forest management mistakes. State and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects. I think there should be conditions on that aid,” Johnson stated.

Oregon and Washington have allowed their forests to become fuel dumps, leading to catastrophic fires and tragic loss of life. Now, with a Congress and President willing to hold leaders accountable, change may finally be possible. The message is clear: clean up your forests, fire-harden your homes, and take responsibility—or risk facing these disasters alone.