Weekly Update - June 18, 2021
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General Operation Updates
When an osprey nest was found perched atop a dead hazard tree, crews quickly went to work to save the nest and the osprey family. For the last week, crews have been working with the Cascades Raptor Center to ensure the safety of the parents and chicks. Stay tuned to the blog for more updates.
Please help Oregon’s recovery effort by keeping addresses and contact information updated and current. Should anything change, please call our hotline at 503-934-1700.
By the Numbers
Step 2 of removing tree hazards began in December 2020 and will progress through multiple impacted areas simultaneously. We estimate it will take 6-18 months to complete all properties. In total, this work will require marking and cutting more than 140,000 hazard trees and removing ash and debris from more than 1,400 participating properties.
Below is a summary of the work that has been completed thus far:
Current “By the Numbers” updates are available on the debris and tree removal data dashboard. The interactive status map on the same page provides a visual of all work underway.
Northern Operations
Beachie Creek/Lionshead Fire areas Santiam River corridor, primarily in Marion and Linn counties, Highway 22 and adjacent area
Debris removal has passed the halfway mark in Detroit, Gates and the surrounding area continues with nearly 55% of home sites cleared. Moving from east to west, hazard tree and slash removal work continues between mileposts 35-37, 38-40, 50-51 and 57-58. Hazard tree work is also underway near home sites in both Detroit and the Gates area. We ask all motorists to use alternate routes and to expect delays in the corridor.
Echo Mountain Fire area
Lincoln County, Lincoln City area, Highway 18 and adjacent area
With just a handful of home sites left to clear, work is nearly complete while a few areas await household hazardous waste and hazard tree removal. After 20 new properties opted into the state cleanup program, work in the fire area is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.
Holiday Farm Fire area
Lane County, McKenzie River area, Highway 126
Debris removal operations are 56% complete and crews continue steady progress. Hazard tree removal work is complete at local parks to allow for reopening and 70% of the hazard trees determined to pose safety risks have been cut or removed in the area. Hazard tree work continues at mileposts 29-30, 33 and 37. Hazard tree work on properties continues in the Blue River area, in local park areas including at Eagle Rock Park, and at Ben and Kay Dorris State Park. Travelers can expect long traffic delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes, especially as the Olympic Trials in Eugene continue throughout June.
Riverside Fire area
Estacada area, Clackamas County, Highways 224 and 211
Nearly 70% of debris removal work in the area is complete and work is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. Hazard tree work continues between mileposts 38-40 and 44-46, and on private property next to debris removal operations. Due to falling rocks, trees launching from steep slopes and other safety hazards, Highway 224 remains closed.
Southern Operations
Almeda Drive Fire area
Medford/Talent/Phoenix, Jackson County, Highway 99 and Interstate 5
Crews continue work on mobile home, single-family home and business sites. Hydro-mulching is underway on cleared sites and completion letters continue to be sent to property owners. Debris removal is estimated to be 85% complete and on track to be fully complete by the end of July. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) direct housing units arrived at the Totem Pole Mobile Home Park on June 11 and residents are expected to be welcomed into the new homes in the coming days.
Archie Creek Fire area
Douglas County, Highway 138
More than 80% of participating home sites are cleared and crews expect to complete area debris cleanup by the end of July. The Douglas County deadline to participate in the state debris removal program was June 15, but community members can call the hotline at 503-934-1700 any time to discuss their situation and need. Hazard tree cutting and removal continues in the area near mileposts 22-23. Glide area residents and travelers will likely see crews chipping woody debris near the highway.
South Obenchain Fire area
Jackson County, northeast of Eagle Point, Highways 62 and 140
Planning and scoping work is underway, chimney tipping work is complete and crews expect to begin the steps of debris removal on 17 home sites next week.
Thielsen Fire area
Eastern Douglas County, Highway 138
Hazard tree cutting crews have made quick progress and cutting crews are working at mileposts 76-80.
242 Fire area
Klamath County, Highways 62 and 97
With nearly all fire-damaged hazard trees evaluated and marked, cutting and removal crews are mobilizing to the area. Crews and staff will continue to work with Oregon State Parks, the tribal community and other public land managers on best practices for navigating terrain constraints and culturally significant areas within the fire footprint.
Topics of the Week
No legislative updates are currently scheduled. The current state legislative session is scheduled to end on June 28. To watch previous updates, visit the pages for the House Special Committee on Wildfire Recovery or the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Recovery Committee.
HB 3127, also known as the Wildfire Recovery Bill, continues to work through the committee process, currently working its way through the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
To help provide clear reporting and help communities navigate the cleanup process, we have added a layer to our interactive map sharing which property owners have been unavailable or unreachable by mail, email or phone. For most properties, cleanup work cannot begin until contact has been made. Represented by a maroon color code on the map, our call center is available to help if errors are found or contact information can be updated. Please call as soon as possible if plans have changed. We also continue to mail paper copies of property cleanup complete letters and send follow-up emails if the paper letters are returned. Please help your neighbors and the recovery effort by keeping your contact information current and sharing your plans with us.
As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a number of measures will be taken to support safety and mobility including a brief work pause in fire corridors. Speed zones will be strongly enforced in work areas, but crews will also pause work over the weekend to decrease delays for travelers. Using alternate routes is encouraged.
Wildfire survivors in need of vital records can access them for free through the Oregon Health Authority as of June 1. Certified copies will be provided free of charge.
Lumber prices continue to rise, posing problems for some trying to rebuild.
Air Quality Monitoring Report | 6/7 - 6/13
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 before resuming 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. Recent results include:
Almeda Fire
Number of properties that had air sampling: 1
Number of air samples collected: 3
Results above action level: 0
Visual monitoring: no recorded dust levels that exceeded action levels
Beachie Creek Fire
Number of properties that had air sampling: 3
Number of air samples collected: 9
Results above action level: 0
Visual monitoring: no recorded dust levels that exceeded action levels
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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 DMTF at elizabeth.mcintire@odot.oregon.gov.
If you have questions about hazard tree removal in your community, our hotline can help point you in the right direction. Please access information from your local county government first, and then call our hotline at 503-934-1700 if you need more information.
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