Case Study: Oregon Implements Multi-State Coordinated Response to 2021 Wildfires
ODOE used the WSPC Multi-State Coordinated Response Structure during the 2021 wildfire season. Oregon experienced jet fuel supply shortages when COVID restrictions lifted and the state had a sudden increase in commercial travel coupled with an early wildfire season in late spring.
With the exception of the Portland International Airport, all jet fuel deliveries are transported by truck from the Portland fuel hub to airports around the state. Fuel carriers already working at capacity were unable to add unscheduled jet fuel deliveries to airports in eastern and southern Oregon to support wildfire response.
With NASEO’s assistance, ODOE coordinated with WSPC states to provide situational awareness and to find out if other states in the region were experiencing the same problems. It was evident from our discussions that Oregon’s jet fuel problems in response to wildfires did not affect neighboring states, and no joint actions were needed.
ODOE worked with jet fuel providers, state fire officials, and the airports to ensure adequate supply was available at air bases that were supporting wildfire response in Oregon. ODOE and the Oregon Department of Forestry established the new state-federal Fuel Coordination Group and procedures for responding to jet fuel shortages during wildfire season. ODOE provided situation reports, new Fuel Coordination Group procedures, and lessons learned from the 2021 wildfires to WSPC states.
Learn more about wildfire response.