In her first remarks on a standoff with armed militants that's thrust Harney County into the national spotlight, Gov. Kate Brown on Tuesday called for a "swift resolution" to a conflict that's now marking its fourth day.

The governor, in a statement, called safety her "top priority" and said the Oregon State Police had sent in additional troopers to help federal officials as they confront the occupation of a building inside the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The statement follows brief comments from Brown's spokeswoman in The Oregonian/OregonLive on Monday that made clear federal agents were taking the lead but that Brown was receiving regular updates on the slow-burn clash.

"Although the FBI is the lead agency responding to the situation, my top priority is the safety of the people of Harney County and the City of Burns," Brown said in her statement. "The Oregon State Police has enhanced its presence in the area, augmenting local and federal public safety resources and assisting with community outreach. I look for a swift resolution that allows Harney County life to return to normal."

Brown's statement stops short of commenting on the militants or their tactics. Other elected officials in Oregon were less reserved in comments Monday.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, in an interview with KOIN recorded by his staff and shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive, spoke of "outsiders" who seem "willing to take the law into their own hands." U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, in a statement, warned that "no one comes out of situations like this a winner."

-- Denis C. Theriault

503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX