Oregon’s Protection from Fire Program is among the premier wildfire protection programs in the western U.S. and the largest program within the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The program provides wildfire protection on about 15.8 million acres of mostly privately-owned Oregon forestland. Private and state interests in protecting Oregon forests from fire have been intertwined since the early 1900s when ODF was created. The State Forester was charged with providing a complete and coordinated fire protection system. This was accomplished by working with the existing forest protection associations and, eventually, expanding their responsibilities. The complete Protection from Fire Program has not been reviewed for several years. The 2003 Oregon Legislature directed ODF to address specific funding issues and recommend emergency fire insurance funding and coverage strategies (Budget Note #3, Appendix A). State Forester Marvin Brown directed ODF to conduct a broader review of the program, including all major program components. The purpose of the review was to identify ways to maintain and improve the program to ensure continuation of effective and efficient fire protection for Oregon's forests and adjacent communities.