Oregon is facing a significant challenge, marked by recent events that have drawn attention to systemic issues within its government and policies. The summer has been historic, but not for celebratory reasons. The message is clear: changes are necessary to fix a broken system.

This summer, more than 2.5 million acres in Oregon were affected by wildfires. This is the largest area impacted by fire in recorded history for the state, with 92% of these lands being public. Over the past decade, a pattern has emerged, showing that nearly all catastrophic wildfires start on public lands. This calls for critical reevaluation and strategic action to prevent future disasters.

The state must consider new approaches to managing public lands to mitigate the risks of wildfire and protect its natural resources. Such action is not only necessary to preserve Oregon’s environment but also to safeguard the communities and economies dependent on these areas.