Fueling Up Oregon in Emergencies

Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation

Here in Oregon, we talk a lot about being prepared for emergencies. We know the “Big One,” a Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake, is on the horizon someday. But we also know other emergencies – such as pandemics, wildfires, ice storms, or flooding – can also affect the way Oregonians live, work, and travel.

In the event of an emergency, the Oregon Department of Energy is a responding agency, tasked with coordinating distribution of petroleum fuels for critical services. Our Oregon Fuel Action Plan, first published in 2017, outlines the steps we would take following an emergency – from assessing damage and needs to sharing public information and coordinating distribution of fuel. The plan can be scaled up for a significant emergency like an earthquake or scaled down for a smaller or more localized issue. ODOE has implemented parts of the plan over the last several years for fueling concerns during the 2017 total solar eclipse, as well as during frequent winter storms and wildfires.

Summer 2021 presented a new transportation fuel challenge: jet fuel delivery.

Deanna Henry, ODOE’s Emergency Preparedness Manager, responded over the summer to requests for additional jet fuel deliveries to small airports in southern and northeast Oregon to support firefighting missions. While there was no shortage of jet fuel in Oregon, there were logistical challenges connecting available supplies with fuel haul trucks and drivers to get the much-needed fuel to the local airports supporting firefighting efforts. Deanna worked with state, local, and federal partners, as well as with the private sector, to ensure firefighters had the fuel they need to continue to fight wildfires.

With the ongoing effects of climate change, it’s likely we’ll have challenging wildfire seasons each year. ODOE will continue working with partners to ensure Oregon’s emergency responders have the fuel they need.

Learn more about the Oregon Department of Energy’s emergency preparedness program on our website.