Wildfire Recovery Update – March 11, 2022

Source: DebrisCleanupNews.com

Northern Operations

Holiday Farm Fire area (Lane County, McKenzie River area, Highway 126): Ash and debris removal is complete while final close-out activities wrap up; hazard tree removal is 90% complete.

• Hazard tree work is nearly complete and wrapping up near the Vida area soon. Hazard tree removal work on county-maintained roads is also nearly complete, with work finishing on Goodpasture Road.

General Operation Updates

For all intents and purposes, we are honored to report that the majority of all Task Force-led wildfire debris and hazard tree removal work is complete. While crews complete remaining close-out tasks, wrap up hazard tree operations, and coordinate with federal partners to recoup cleanup costs, some hazard tree work and other activities will continue through the spring and into summer.

You can track the final stages of the operation here (scroll down the page for the latest data) and tune in or revisit the latest news and updates at DebrisCleanupNews.com.

We are incredibly grateful for what close coordination, collaboration and local partnership has made possible throughout this unprecedented operation. Completing this milestone helps Oregon turn a page on this traumatic, yet critical, first step in the wildfire recovery process while enabling next steps in the arduous, multi-year journey still ahead.

As we rebuild and recover together, we thank Oregonians for their resilient spirit and endurance. We encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on what’s been accomplished and to support one another on what is still ahead.

Because everyone’s situation is different, we encourage communities and wildfire survivors to be informed about the cleanup cost and insurance process. We worked to simplify it through a short blog post. Please read the summary here and help share with your neighbors and colleagues.

By the Numbers

All fire areas are considered complete while acknowledging final and pending close-out tasks for some properties, and that hazard tree work continues with county partners through the spring. Completion letters continue to be sent to property owners and are captured as stars on the interactive map. Continue to track our progress data page for the latest updates and information.

Below is a summary of the work that has been completed:

Air Quality Monitoring Report

Local environmental health is one of our top priorities. In addition to conducting required asbestos testing in an efficient manner for all debris removal home sites, state contractors are visually monitoring and controlling dust to protect air quality during ash and debris cleanup work. If dust issues occur, our crews will stop work and fix the issue to protect public health. You can view the latest soil sampling FAQs on our news page. Questions about dust from private contractors are not part of state cleanup work and can be directed to local city and county public health departments.

Each week, contractors report their visual monitoring results, and the testing labs report their sample test results for active work areas. As ash and debris removal nears completion and winter weather reduces air quality monitoring, there are no results to report this month.

The “action level” is the threshold for action at a site, or from a lab test result. Learn more about action levels, how we control dust and test air samples in our air quality monitoring FAQ.

For specific air quality monitoring data, email Liz McIntire with the Task Force at Elizabeth.MCINTIRE@odot.oregon.gov.