PORTLAND, Ore. — Airplanes and helicopters are some of the most important modern firefighting tools. …However, they are now more expensive to operate. According to the Argus U.S. jet fuel index, the price per gallon for jet fuel was around $2.30. Today, it hovers around $4.50 a gallon, up roughly 65% since February. The U.S. Department of Forestry told several media outlets the agency budgeted $45 million for aviation fuel this year, about $7 million less than last year. The Oregon Department of Forestry said the increases in jet fuel prices don’t impact their ability to respond to wildfires if they break out. …“In the near term, we remain fully prepared to respond to wildfires across Oregon. If elevated fuel prices continue long-term, they may increase overall aviation costs and influence future contract rates,” said Derek Gasperini, external communications manager for the Oregon Department of Forestry.