The Oregon Department of Forestry has added a new multi-mission aircraft designed to improve wildfire detection, night operations, and all-hazards emergency response. Officials say the Twin Otter-based platform includes AI-enabled mapping, thermal imaging, and the ability to detect new fire starts earlier — even during overnight operations.

More than $28 million in federal funding will support new wildfire-mitigation projects across Oregon. The USDA-funded grants, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help communities reduce hazardous fuels, strengthen evacuation routes, and expand prescribed fire and defensible space work.