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Glide Wildfire Recovery

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Glide Revitalization is working on getting volunteers to help those devastated by the Archie Creek Fire. Some of the work they need help with includes rebuilding outbuildings, debris clean-up, fences, and replanting. 

Currently, "teams are being assembled to work on projects all over Glide and the surrounding areas." 

For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator:
rachelle@gliderev.com
or
541-671-0405


Photo by Ryan Finlay of a housing unit used by DFPA. 

Moses Finlay

Ryan Finlay

Glide Revitalization Seeking Volunteers to Help With Archie Creek Fire Recovery

Matt Hunter, a local wildlife ecologist, recently made a trip into the Archie Creek Fire area to look for signs of wildlife. His write-up is a fascinating account of what he saw. 

Click below to view the writeup:
http://umpquaaudubon.org/2021/03/life-finds-a-way-an-early-march-visit-to-the-archie-creek-burn/

Abraham Finlay

Judith Kulluson

Josh Gaunt

Hannah Finlay

Area Wildlife Ecologist Finds Life Inside the Archie Creek Fire Burn Area 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency released some updated numbers on the Douglas County wildfire recovery efforts and next steps in the recovery process. 

Eighty individuals and households have been approved for $543,744 in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. $381,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans have been approved for five homeowners and renters as of Nov. 13.

There have been approximately $406,552 in grants approved for housing repairs or replacement for 59 homeowners. $137,192 in grants have been approved for personal property, transportation, and other disaster-related serious needs for 64 applicants. 1,552 home inspections have been issued with 99 percent completed.

The FEMA External Outreach Site at the Old Glide Middle School Gym closed on Nov. 14 and assisted 47 visitors.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has been tasked with Phase 1 of cleanup which involves surveying, removing, and disposing of household hazardous wastes remaining at burned or damaged properties and structures. All of this work must be completed before Phase 2 can begin and so far 102 Douglas County properties have completed this step with two needing assessment and others with no access. 

Phase 2 is ash and debris removal.  

Right of Entry forms need to be signed if people want FEMA/Oregon to remove the ash and trash from their property. That cleanup will likely start after Thanksgiving according to Carma Mornarich who is with Glide Revitalization.  

Debris removal will include concrete pads, burned vehicles, and hazard trees. The process will include soil testing after removal is complete with results included in a notice to the property owner about the removal activities.

“Most everyone already signed Right of Entry forms to give access to them to remove Household Hazardous Waste,” Mornarich said. “That cleanup process is already started. Once the HHW is cleaned up from their properties, there will be a notice posted at their property. Property owners can bring that notice into Glide Revitalization to get a validation certificate for their personal records to show that their property was properly cleaned.”

Home and property owners of property affected by the fire are encouraged to consider getting flood insurance. FEMA has made this recommendation with the possibility of soil instability in the area and the incoming winter rains. 

The FEMA deadline to apply for Individual Assistance has been extended to November 30, 2020. Individual Assistance (IA) is available to people impacted by fires in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties.

Oregon homeowners and renters who registered for FEMA disaster assistance for help after wildfires should stay in touch with FEMA to ensure the disaster assistance process stays on track. Survivors should update contact information as soon as possible as FEMA may need to reach them for additional information or virtual home inspections.

Sign up for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362

Archie Creek Recovery Update For November 18th

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.

Home and business owners that opt into this government-led wildfire cleanup program will pay no upfront costs for any cleanup work. Additionally, no government agency – state, federal or contractor - will seek payment from any insurance policy unless it is specifically designated for debris removal or left over after the home or business is completely rebuilt.

The no-cost cleanup is available to home and business owners in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties.

“Our mission is to safely clear the ash and debris as quickly as possible, and leave Oregonians with a clean site so they can rebuild,” said Kris Strickler, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation. “This will take time, strong partnerships and a lot of hard work, but we’re already well on our way. I encourage every Oregonian who lost a home or business in the wildfires to sign a Right of Entry form with their county, if they haven’t already, to help keep this important work moving forward.”

Property owners need to sign a Right of Entry form to allow cleanup crews onto their property. Cleanup crews will remove ash and structural debris, hazard trees, concrete foundations, and burned vehicles. To submit your Right of Entry form and for more information, visit wildfire.oregon.gov/cleanup or call the wildfire debris cleanup hotline: 503-934-1700.

Wildfire cleanup is a two-step process. Step 1 is removal of household hazardous waste, which is dangerous to people, communities and the environment. This work is nearly completed in all fire-impacted counties. Progress on Step 1 efforts can be viewed on EPA’s 2020 Oregon Fires Recovery website.

Step 2 is removal of ash and debris. The state is currently hiring contractors to carry out this work, scheduled to begin in December 2020. The task force is working closely with local governments to determine cleanup priorities for each area. Given factors such as weather impacts, property access limitations and the large area to be covered, Step 2 is estimated to take approximately 6 to 18 months to complete statewide. As the state task force gets contractors on board, more clarity on timing will be provided.

The 2020 September wildfires were the largest and most expensive disaster in Oregon’s history. Nine Oregonians lost their lives, more than 1 million acres burned and over 5,000 homes and businesses were destroyed. The state has transitioned from immediate fire response to statewide recovery.

FEMA will reimburse the state for a portion of eligible costs. The State of Oregon will fund the remaining costs, regardless of FEMA reimbursement. Initial estimates put the debris cleanup tally at over $600 million, including $326 million for ash and debris removal and $295 million to remove damaged trees. This estimate is preliminary and is likely to change.

Photo by Ryan Finlay 

Oregon To Provide No-Cost Wildfire Ash & Debris Cleanup For Wildfire Victims

Glide Wildfire Recovery coverage from Roseburg Tracker