Fire Finance

Have you ever wandered how fire media relations people can say, "The so-and-so fire cost $3.1 million dollars to suppress?"

The folks who staff the finance section tabulate all costs associated with the fire and pay the bills. They also serve as the incident time keepers and handle workers compensation claims.

The Mt. Hood Complex Wildlands Fire has been burning since August 7. Lightening started the series of fires in the Mt. Hood Wilderness and Badger Creek Wilderness.

To date, approximately 1,400 acres has burned. The fire is 35 percent contained at this time.