Gov. Tina Kotek said Tuesday that she’ll call lawmakers back to work in December for a special session to address the costs of Oregon’s record wildfire season.

Kotek will ask lawmakers to approve $218 million to help the Department of Forestry and state fire marshal cover bills after 1.9 million acres burned across the state this year, Kotek’s office wrote in a news release. That’s three times the annual average.

The full cost of fires, which damaged nearly 200 homes and structures, topped $350 million, Kotek said. Much of that cost will eventually be paid for by the federal government, but she wants the state to pay its wildfire-related bills as soon as possible.

“The unprecedented 2024 wildfire season required all of us to work together to protect life, land, and property, and that spirit of cooperation must continue in order to meet our fiscal responsibilities,” said Kotek in a written statement. “I am grateful to legislative leaders for coming to consensus that our best course of action is to ensure the state’s fire season costs are addressed and bills paid by the end of the calendar year.”

Oregon Public Broadcasting first reported on Tuesday that Kotek would call a special session to address the wildfire costs.

Lawmakers already planned to be in Salem from Dec. 10-12 for regularly scheduled “legislative days” committee hearings. The next full session of the Legislature starts in January.