Oregon snowcats prove their worth in Klamath County
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has deployed snowcats throughout the state as part of the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) program. They sent the state-of-the-art machines to Umatilla County, Hood River County, and Klamath County.
OEM reports a snowcat was put to use in Klamath County’s first major snowfall recently and literally saved lives as multiple motorists were trapped in deep snow.
“As conditions rapidly deteriorated and traditional vehicles were unable to access the area, the snowcat was used to safely reach stranded individuals and support response operations during the storm,” the OEM reported.
The snowcats are able to operate in deep snow, poor visibility, and confined areas. In addition, the cabs are climate-controlled and insulated, which makes them capable of transporting responders and assisting with the movement of hypothermic patients during severe winter weather events.
Pre-positioning specialized equipment throughout the state, SPIRE helps ensure resources are available where and when they are needed most. For more information about SPIRE and Oregon’s emergency preparedness efforts, visit www.oregon.gov/OEM.
Photo of snowcat at work in Klamath County provided by OEM
