Oregon Wildfire Recovery

 

 

Latest News & Information

This page is being updated regularly with information on webinars, resources, and news to help communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the 2020 Oregon wildfires.

Willamette Partnership is collating this list of resources for Oregon communities that have been impacted by wildfires. Our goal is to support our partners’ efforts to rebuild more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities.

To share additional information or suggest updates or corrections, please contact Emily Irish at irish@willamettepartnership.org.

Back to Wildfire Relief Resources & Contacts

Wildfire Resources

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Coming Up

OSU Extension Wildfire Wednesday Webinars Sessions (12:00-1:00 pm PST):
March 17: It takes a village
March 31: From the home to the landscape
April 14: Building community for better preparedness
April 28: Ready, Set, GO!
TBD: Fire preparedness in my area
May 19: A land of fire
June 2: When fire hits
June 16: After the fire

Online class guide page: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/fire-program/fire-program-online-class-guide

WEBINARS RESOURCES

After the Fire - Now What? An OSU Extension Fire Program Webinar - Oct 1, 2020 3:00-5:00 PM

After the Fire – Now What?  An Extension Fire Program Webinar

Description: Are you a forest or other landowner who has been affected by this year’s wildfires? Not sure what to do next? In this webinar, presenters will talk to you about where to start and how to prepare an assessment consistent with funding agencies and land management plans. Our agency partners will be on the line to connect you with information on technical/financial assistance.

Presenters: Stephen Fitzgerald, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Silviculture Specialist & Daniel Leavell, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Specialist.

This is the first in a series of weekly webinars addressing post-fire issues, from erosion control and tree mortality to salvage, restoration, and reforestation.

Hazard tree awareness and erosion in post-fire landscapes. An OSU Extension Fire Program Webinar - Oct 8, 2020 3:00-5:00 PM

OSU Extension Service Fire Program: Hazard tree awareness and erosion in post-fire landscapes

Thursday, October 8th from 3-5pm
In this webinar, we will describe what to look for in identifying tree hazards and factors influencing soil stability and erosion in post-fire forested landscapes, and practical steps to mitigate impacts.

Presenters: Amanda Rau, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension regional fire specialist and John Punches, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension agent

Audience: Those affected by wildfire with natural resources related issues or questions.

Assessing post-fire survivability of trees and potential for salvage harvesting. An OSU Extension Fire Program Webinar - Oct. 15, 2020 3:00-5:00 PM

OSU Extension Service Fire Program: Assessing post-fire survivability of trees and potential for salvage harvesting

Thursday, October 15th from 3-5pm
This webinar will cover a visual method for assessing survival of trees that have been injured by wildfire.  Specifically we will look at varying levels of damage to tree crowns, bole/trunk injuries, and heat damage at the tree base.  This assessment will inform decisions about whether to move forward with timber salvage operation to recoup tree value before it is lost to insects and disease. We will also discuss specifically how salvage operations are conducted, equipment used, wildlife considerations, economics, forest practice rules and regulations for salvage harvesting, and working with a consulting forester to assist you in getting it done.

Presenters: Glenn Ahrens, OSU Extension Forester; Stephen Fitzgerald, OSU Extension Silviculture Specialist; Joe Goldsby, Oregon Department of Forestry Stewardship Forester; and Rick Barnes, Consulting Forester, Barnes and Associates

Audience: Those affected by wildfire with natural resources related issues or questions.

Reforestation considerations after wildfire: An OSU Extension Fire Program Webinar - Oct. 22, 3:00-5:00 PM

OSU Extension Service Fire Program: Reforestation considerations after wildfire

Thursday, October 22, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
This webinar will cover key considerations in reforestation following wildfire including legal requirements, planting vs. natural regeneration, site preparation, selecting and finding seedlings, tree planting, and post-planting care.  Agency partners will be on hand to discuss technical/financial assistance available to landowners for post-fire reforestation.

Presenters: Glenn Ahrens and Max Bennett, Forestry & Natural Resources Extension agents, OSU Extension Service, Keith Baldwin, Oregon Department of Forestry, Heather Medina-Sauceda, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bret Harris, Farm Service Agency

Audience: Those affected by wildfire with forestry & natural resources related issues or questions.

Tax considerations for those impacted by wildfire or other natural disasters: An OSU Extension Fire Program Webinar - Nov. 5, 3:00-5:00 PM

Tax considerations for those impacted by wildfire or other natural disasters

Thursday, November 5, 3:00-5:00 PM

Presenter: Tammy Cushing, Forest Economics, Management & Policy Extension Specialist

Audience: Those affected by wildfire with forestry & natural resources related issues or questions.

LATEST NEWS

Wildfire Response Grant Offering - OWEB

On October 30, 2020, the OWEB board approved a Wildfire Response Grant Offering. OWEB is now accepting applications at a maximum of $75,000 per grant, with funds required to be spent by June 30, 2021 for eligible activities outlined below.  The Wildfire Response Grants will not displace or reduce other OWEB grant funding opportunities scheduled for the remainder of the biennium.

This will be different than many of OWEB’s grant offerings, so please read all details below to understand what is eligible for funding and the application process. OWEB will be accepting only one application for each of the 13 fires identified at the end of this message, so coordination at the local level will be required for this application process.

Eligible Applicants:

OWEB is asking that local conservation non-profits, local governments, and tribes work together to select one eligible applicant per identified fire (see listing of fires at the bottom of this message). That applicant will coordinate submission of the application on behalf of all local partners and serve as the fiscal agent for the grant. Partners need to coordinate on actions to be funded and who will lead each action. OWEB can assist with coordination calls as requested to help with this process.

Actions Eligible for Funding:

OWEB-funded work will address short-term fire recovery needs generally related to soil stabilization and weed management on tribal lands or private lands (not including industrial forestlands) that have been identified as high priority in a federally led assessment through FEMA, BLM or the Forest Service, or other assessments with approval from OWEB. Proposed actions must meet OWEB’s Constitutional requirements to address protection and restoration of native fish and wildlife habitat or water quality improvement.

Eligible Implementation Funding Activities Include:

  • Log transport and stockpiling for future restoration.
  • A limited suite of conservation practices to help stabilize soils and manage weeds post-fire, including: conservation cover, cover crop, herbaceous weed treatment, mulching, range planting, woody residue treatment and fencing.
    • NOTE: Many of these practices are funded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency for landowners eligible for USDA Farm Bill programs.  Due to the availability of funding through those federal agencies, OWEB funding is limited to those landowners not eligible for USDA funding.
  • Other stabilization practices designed to protect or restore habitat or water quality that are specified in a qualifying assessment and discussed in advance with OWEB.

Eligible technical assistance activities include:

  • Stakeholder engagement – to help landowners understand programs available for post-fire recovery and to assist them in participating in those programs; and
  • Technical assistance – to participate on local assessment teams and select restoration practices.

Eligible Geography:

Applications will be accepted on a continuing basis from one applicant per eligible fire. Local partners will identify one eligible applicant who will serve as the fiscal agent and will work in cooperation with area partners to apply for up to $75,000 in funding for each of the following 13 fire areas:

  • 242
  • Almeda
  • Archie Creek
  • Beachie Creek
  • Brattain
  • Echo Mountain Complex
  • Holiday Farm
  • Indian Creek
  • Lionshead
  • Slater
  • South Obenchain
  • Riverside
  • White River

OWEB can assist partners with facilitating eligible applicant determination if requested.

If you have questions about applying for a Wildfire Response Grant, contact Kathy Leopold, kathy.leopold@oregon.gov.

NRCS announces application deadlines for wildfire emergency funding

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for those impacted by Oregon’s recent wildfires. Application deadlines are October 30 and December 30, 2020.

Through EQIP, Oregon Wildfire Emergency Stabilization funding will support the immediate response to the recent catastrophic fires by addressing degraded plant conditions, wind and water erosion, and loss of sediment, nutrient, and pathogens.

FEMA External Outreach Sites For Wildfire Survivors

The site offers in-person visits for residents to get information about their application, ask questions about letters they receive from FEMA, and have their documents scanned to be part of their application.

Representatives from FEMA’s Individual Assistance program will be available at the site.

Hours for all FEMA External Outreach Sites are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

FEMA External Outreach Site #1 Central High School 815 South Oakdale Ave. Medford, Oregon 97501
FEMA External Outreach Site #2 Lane Events Center 796 W. 13th Ave. Eugene, Oregon 97402
FEMA External Outreach Site #3 Stayton Community Center 400 W. Virginia St. Stayton, Oregon 97385
FEMA External Outreach Site #4 Lincoln Outlet Mall—Opens 8 a.m. Oct. 15 1500 S.E. East Devils Lake Rd. Suite 200 Lincoln City, Oregon 97367

Wildfire Recovery and Preparation Updates: From Oregon's Rural Fire Protection Districts

In 2017 legislative sessions, a bill to create a “Task Force on Rural Fire Protection District Community Development” failed.  SB 531 would have established a task force to study and develop recommendations on ways to enhance, or expand the ability of rural fire protection districts to use their assets to facilitate community development efforts following a natural disaster.  Join Sen. Roblan as he discusses recent challenges to rural fire districts, what our fire chiefs need to keep their communities safe and the re-introduction of fire protection legislation.

Will Ewing, Idanha-Detroit Rural Fire Protection District and District manager East Lincoln County Fire/Rescue
Rob Dahlman, Fire Chief, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue District #1
Jeff Doyle, Secretary/Treasurer East Lincoln County Fire & Rescue

What: KXCR 90.7 FM “Fireside (Weekly) Chats”
When: Tuesday, October 20th
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Join live on Twitter and Instagram or tune into on KXCR https://www.twitch.tv/kxcr_streaming or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kxcr90.7/ 

Free Ash and Debris Clean Up

State offers no-cost wildfire debris cleanup for all Oregon homes and businesses

The State of Oregon will provide no-cost wildfire ash and debris cleanup for all homes and businesses in the eight counties affected by the disastrous September wildfires, the Oregon Debris Management Task Force announced today. This cleanup includes mobile home parks, second homes, businesses, and other structures.

Learn more https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=37710

Get in touch about wildfire relief resources.

Emily Irish

 

Emily Irish | Partner, Communications
email | irish@willamettepartnership.org
office | 503.946.8646

 

Banner photo / Clean Water Services

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