Eastern Oregon Leadership working to address statewide aviation fuel supply concerns
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, November 18th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – Municipal and regional airports play a major role in fire suppression operations across the United States, often acting as frontline hubs for small and mid-sized airtankers during wildland firefighting operations. The La Grande airport for example is frequently contracted to support fire retardant aircraft during the summer months, with The U.S. Forest Service maintaining a fire center and retardant base at the facility.
That said, frequent firefighting sorties, especially during record breaking fire seasons like was experienced in Oregon during 2024, can put a strain on local aviation fuel supplies. Union County is addressing this issue locally with the construction of a 10,000-gallon Jet A fuel expansion (costing around $938,000 in grant funding) for the La Grande Airport. Beginning October 1st, this expansion increases the airport’s longevity to support firefighting aircraft. However, there is room for further redundancy.
Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes, along with Oregon Senator Bill Hansel and Oregon Senator-Elect Todd Nash have begun drafting legislation to secure additional fuel capacity and redundancy for regional airports across Oregon during firefighting operations.
This (based on a draft shared by Anderes) comes in the form of a pilot program to increase both on-scene airport fuel supply and long-term fuel transportation. Specifically, the proposal aims to provide consistent (and timely) fuel supplies for airports, sufficient fuel storage during fire season, the replacement of aging fuel trucks, and ground transport for pilots and crews. This proposed pilot program would involve the Oakridge, Burns, and La Grande airports.
Tentatively, proposed solutions include the following:
- Further increasing Jet-A fuel capacity at pilot program airports.
- Suspension of motor carrier hour limits during states of emergency or conflagrations.
- Use of Oregon National Guard and reserve personnel to help transport fuel.
- Use of bulk fuel tankers to provide mobile fuel capacity between multiple airports.
- Use of loan cars to provide ground transport for pilots and crews.
- Providing additional fuel delivery vehicles to transport fuel from bulk storage to aircraft.
Note the legislative proposal is still being developed and does NOT represent a final plan.
