ABOUT

With the help and encouragement of SPJ Oregon, lawmakers in 2022 passed HB 4087, which grants journalists access to natural disaster scenes on state public lands. The bill went into effect in 2023.

How to get access

In order to gain access to natural disaster scenes, journalists need to take a free, one-hour online training course provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry. This training needs to be renewed every year. After completing the training, SPJ Oregon will email you a certificate showing you completed the training. It can take about a week for your certificate to arrive. We encourage you to print two copies — one to display in your vehicle, and another to keep in your wallet — and to save an electronic copy on your phone or computer.

Note that your name, news organization (if applicable), and the date you completed your training will be recorded in a public database that will soon be available on this web page.

Journalists also need to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). More on PPE is below.

where journalists can gain access

HB 4087 only applies to state and local public lands. It does not apply to private property, federal land, tribal land, or property owned by educational institutions, like schools and colleges.

WHEN ACCESS CAN BE DENIED OR REVOKED

Incident commanders retain the right to deny access if circumstances call for it. Some examples of when access may be denied: Where heavy equipment and aircraft are actively in use in a given area; when granting access might destroy evidence needed to determine a wildfire’s cause or origin point; or, when a media representative doesn’t have the appropriate PPE or training certification.

Journalists are advised to follow all safety precautions outlined within the training and to do whatever they can to avoid interfering with firefighters or other responding agencies. Egregious disregard of others’ safety could result in a journalists’ certification being revoked.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

There are two types of PPE outlined in the HB 4087 guidelines: all-hazards PPE and wildland fire PPE. Journalists will need all-hazards PPE for all types of disaster scenes. They need the additional wildland fire PPE if they are entering wildland areas that are actively burning.

All-Hazards PPE

• High visibility safety vest

• Long pants

• Enclosed shoes or boots (consider investing in wildland-appropriate boots as detailed below)

• Hard hat (consider investing in a wildland-appropriate hard hat as detailed below)

• N95 mask or respirator or dust mask (dust or smoke)

Wildland Fire PPE

Required wildfire PPE is outlined in Chapter 7 of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, also known as the “Red Book.” The gear includes:

• Wildland fire boots: leather exterior, lace up, are at least 8 inches high (measuring from heel to the top of the boot), and melt-resistant, lug soles.

• Helmet with chinstrap.

• Goggles or safety glasses.

• Ear plugs or another type of hearing protection.

• NFPA-compliant (1977) long-sleeved, flame-resistant shirt.

• NFPA-compliant (1977) flame-resistant pants.

• Leather, or leather-and-flame-resistant, gloves.

Media should avoid wearing clothing made of synthetic materials, including polyester, polypropylene, and nylon materials. Most synthetic fibers melt when exposed to flame or extreme heat. Undergarments should be made of 100% or the highest possible content of natural fibers, aramid, or other flame-resistant materials.

A fire shelter may be required PPE under certain circumstances. Fire shelters are the last resort when trapped by a wildfire. Initial certification and annual recertification of proficiency in fire shelter use are required. Fire shelters typically cost $500-$600 each.

FURTHER READING

Oregon State University fire researchers and University of Oregon journalism professors have published a comprehensive guide for journalists covering wildfires. It includes everything from what to expect when covering a fire, understanding land management and fire agencies, ecological and social impacts, and how to communicate with scientists. We highly recommend any journalist covering wildfires in Oregon to check it out: