Democracy Dies in Darkness Something needs to change.
September 27, 2026 at 7:37 a.m. EDT
By Chris Edwards and Travis Joseph, Oregon Capital Chronicle
The Oregon Capital Chronicle is committed to delivering thorough reporting on Oregon’s government, political scene, and policies.
This summer, Oregon faced an unprecedented situation. The state experienced an alarming milestone: over 2.5 million acres burned, marking the largest area affected by wildfires in recorded history.
This troubling event acts as an urgent signal that change is essential. The system managing these lands needs innovation and reevaluation.
Consistently, wildfires have originated primarily on public lands. In this most recent devastation, 92% of the area burned consisted of these public lands.
Reflecting on the past decade, nearly all major wildfires have been traced back to these areas, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities and the urgent need for reforms in land management strategies.
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