Kellogg Rural Fire District Receives Wildfire Season Staffing Grant

KELLOGG, Ore. — Kellogg Rural Fire District has been awarded a 2026 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant through the Oregon State Fire Marshal, giving the district added support heading into fire season.

The district announced the award this week, saying the funding will help keep firefighters staffed and ready for rapid initial response during the upcoming wildfire season. District officials said the grant supports not only wildfire response, but other emergency calls across the community as well.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Wildfire Season Staffing Grant was established in 2022 to help local fire agencies increase firefighter availability during fire season. According to OSFM, the goal is to help keep fires small and away from communities by improving early response. The grants can provide up to $35,000 per agency.

For smaller and rural fire districts, added seasonal staffing can make a significant difference when temperatures rise and fire danger increases. Early response is often a key factor in preventing a small fire from becoming a larger incident that requires more resources.

Kellogg Rural Fire District said it is grateful for the continued support.

“Early response is critical, and this grant plays a key role in stopping fires before they grow into larger, more dangerous incidents,” the district said in its announcement.

The 2026 grant period runs from May 1 through Oct. 31, according to OSFM. Funding is awarded as a one-time lump sum after grant agreements are completed.