JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (June 1, 2021) – Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District Forester Dave Larson has accepted a new role within the agency as the Southern Oregon Area Director, effective June 1, 2021. In the interim, Grants Pass Unit Forester Tyler McCarty has been selected to serve as district forester for the 2021 fire season.
Dave Larson, Southern Oregon Area Director
Larson has spent his entire career in fire, starting at the young age of 16 on a youth hand crew with the Douglas Forest Protective Association. He spent the following 25 years working up the ranks to unit forester, before taking the position as district forester in the ODF Southwest Oregon District. Following his predecessor, Dave Lorenz’s retirement, Larson was promoted to area director; this summer will be his 32nd fire season.
“Serving the communities of the Southwest Oregon District as district forester has certainly been a highlight in my career, and I look forward to continuing to support the area in this new capacity.” Larson said. “Tyler McCarty will be a strong leader for the district this summer, and with his level of experience and dedication to the region, I know I’m leaving it in good hands.”
Tyler McCarty, SWO Interim District Forester
McCarty is a Rogue Valley native who got his start in the fire service right out of high school on the Southwest Oregon District. He spent his first 15 years at the Medford Unit office before promoting to unit forester in the Grants Pass unit.
“It’s an honor to step into this role for the district, especially as we enter this current fire season,” McCarty said. “I will remain dedicated to our firefighters and support staff as we navigate what could be a difficult season ahead of us.”
McCarty will serve as the interim district forester through fire season. A formal recruitment process to select a permanent replacement will be conducted in the fall of 2021.