Eugene, Ore. — In the wake of the wildfires that have devastated communities throughout Oregon, Washington and California in recent years, one idea has emerged: Preventing a wildfire before it begins is easier than putting one out.
Young people have perspectives to share from working with Northwest Youth Corps on the front lines of that prevention effort. They were given the opportunity to share their opinions during a visit with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden last week.
“Prior preparation prevents poor performance,” crew lead Jordan Fernandez quipped, during a break from clearing woody debris from a residential hillside off Willamette Street in Eugene’s south hills.
“Put him in charge of the federal government,” joked Wyden in response.
Many in the Youth Corps crew know someone who was displaced by fires and all have seen firsthand the impact of last year’s Holiday Farm Fire along the McKenzie River east of Springfield.
“While working in the woods, I learned how fire is bad, but I also learned how fire is good. Trees are good, but I learned why trees are bad,” Arron Blacklock from Texas said. “I want to show how you have got to stay on top of this,” he said gesturing at the piles of woody debris at his feet. “Otherwise, it can hurt you personally.”
Wyden agreed, telling the group that he sees them as the modern equivalent of the Civilian Conservation Corps from 80 years ago. He believes it is time to bring that workforce program back at the federal level.
With that goal in mind, Wyden and Rep. Joe Neguse, chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, have introduced a bill in Congress that would fund a 21st-century version of the Depression-era program.
If passed, “The 21st Century Conservation Corps Act would provide critical funds to support a natural resource management and conservation workforce and bolster wildfire prevention and preparedness to protect the health and safety of communities during the unparalleled combination of threats posed by wildfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to a news release.
“For me, this type of work is important to not only to give back to my community,” Zachary Peterson of Springfield said. “But it also helps grow personal skills, team building, character and discipline.”
