Vale District BLM Fire, Fuels, and ESR Program honored with Pulaski Award

Congratulations to the hardworking public servants that make up the BLM Oregon/Washington Vale District Fire, Fuels, and Emergency Stabilization and Repair (ESR) program, honored with a Pulaski Award in a ceremony on June 24, 2025, for their outstanding group performance in fire management and firefighter safety during the busy 2024 fire year.  

Fire year 2024 saw the highest levels of fire activity the Vale District had experienced in a decade, with 94 wildfires burning approximately 649,426 acres. Despite being only 70% staffed, the programs operated efficiently while maintaining high standards for firefighter and public safety. 

The Vale Dispatch Center, staffed with seven personnel, managed the mobilization and demobilization of three complex incident management teams, filled approximately 7,846 resource orders, and still assisted other dispatch centers by sending personnel on assignments. 

The Snake River Valley program hosted five administratively determined (AD) type 2 initial attack crews and three youth camp crews. In total, these crews were dispatched 46 times, putting in 181,357 hours on wildfires and 120,583 hours on prescribed burns. 

The Vale Interagency Hotshot Crew was available from May 8 to Oct. 2, spending 113 days on fire assignments and 14 days on prescribed burns. They supported Oregon and Washington and completed 18 NWCG position task books. 

The Vale Aviation program hosted a type 3 helicopter, one air attack platform, and one single engine airtanker (SEAT). The helicopter, staffed with eight personnel, flew 225 hours, supporting fires throughout Oregon and Washington. The Ontario Airbase supported 35 fires and delivered 403,397 gallons of retardant in 579 loads. Sixteen SEATs rotated through the airbase, flying just under 608 hours in total. Air Attack 32GA completed 80 flights, totaling just over 234 hours. 

The Vale Fuels program addressed a total of 67,726 units (acres, piles, etc.) using pile burning, chemical treatments, wildland-urban interface Iine construction, seeding, lop-and-scatter projects, juniper thinning, and targeted grazing. In addition to fuels projects, personnel assisted at the Ontario Airbase, filled incident commander type 3 roles, and supported dispatch. 

During and after the 2024 fire year, 11 ESR plans were completed and approved, along with 11 determinations of NEPA adequacy decisions. With help from the fire program, the ESR program completed 8,338 acres of cultural surveys, 60,637 acres of aerial herbicide application, permanent fence repairs on two fires, and hazard tree removal on seven acres. 

The Vale District Fire Prevention and Mitigation program directly implemented or participated in 54 planned prevention and mitigation events. Through efforts by the Baker County Interagency Fire Prevention Team and financial assistance agreements in Baker County, the BLM also supported additional projects, outreach, training, and other activities. 

Throughout the season, the engine program staffed 10 engines and one bulldozer, ensuring strong wildfire response capabilities. The team supported the Eastern Oregon Task Force seven times across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The engines averaged 415 hours, above normal for a fire season in eastern Oregon. 

Despite facing a complex and demanding season with above-average numbers of wildfires and acres burned, firefighters and support personnel remained committed to safety. This dedication is reflected in a 39% reduction in reported injuries compared with 2023, a remarkable achievement given the challenges of 2024. The reduction highlights the effectiveness of the Vale District’s training, safety protocols, and personnel competency. 

2024 pushed the Vale District’s Fire, Fuels, and ESR programs to their limits, presenting relentless challenges and an intense workload. Through determination, adaptability, and expert resource management, these extraordinary professionals rose to the occasion. As they continue their 2025 work, including critical repair and rehabilitation efforts, the Pulaski Award stands as a testament to their resilience and unwavering commitment to effective wildland fire management.  

A few past winners of the Pulaski award include the Bureau of Indian Affairs Eastern Oklahoma Region (2024), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2 Arizona Fire District (2023), and the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands Southeast Area and the Bureau of Land Management Green River District (2022).