☑ Weekly Update - April 29, 2021
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General Operation Updates
We know that the devastation left by the 2020 wildfires is traumatic for all Oregonians, especially for the impacted communities and the nearly 4,000 people who lost their homes and livelihoods. We’ve provided a number of tools to help during these challenging times and investigate all claims of impropriety. We encourage everyone with concerns or feedback to call our hotline at 503-934-1700 so that we can explore your issues further and help find solutions.
When hazard tree removal work began, urgency underscored the emergency response situation and risk involved. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursement requirements relied on swift action. This work began immediately following the 2020 wildfires, and was split into two phases.
At the doorstep of another potentially severe wildfire season, it takes everyone working together to avoid another 2020. We’re working with federal and state wildfire and land management partners to plan for and coordinate efforts as fire season approaches. We’re calling on all Oregonians to be extra fire-wise and work to ensure that no more lives are lost this year. While our crews help create fire resilient areas and defensible space on fire-damaged properties by removing adjacent hazard trees, take stock of your property before it’s too late. Bookmark Keep Oregon Green for more information and keep tabs on large fire activity in Oregon.
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 nearly 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
Crews continue to remove debris in Detroit, Gates and the surrounding area. Cleanup at Kane’s Marina is complete and was cleared in time for a local fishing tournament and other tourism and economic development efforts in the area. Moving from east to west, hazard tree marking and tree removal continues between mileposts 22-23, 33-35 and 57-58. While motorists should expect long traffic delays, crews are working longer weekdays to help alleviate congestion during the weekends for area residents and other travelers. We ask all motorists to use alternate routes.
Echo Mountain Fire area
Lincoln County, Lincoln City area, Highway 18 and adjacent area
Crews are finishing the final 12 home sites in the area this week and next, as these final Right of Entry forms were received before work is mostly complete in the area. Work at the Salmon River Mobile Village is nearly complete awaiting final soil testing results.
Holiday Farm Fire area
Lane County, McKenzie River area, Highway 126
Debris removal operations continue with significant progress on area home sites. Hazard tree marking and removal activity continues between mileposts 30-36, 40-43 and 45-47, and at local and county parks in the area to help get them to a safe place for reopening. Community members and travelers will continue to see significant differences in the landscape and should expect long traffic delays. Please use alternate routes.
Riverside Fire area
Estacada area, Clackamas County, Highways 224 and 211
Removing debris from 32 home sites in the area is now underway. Crews have completed assessments and markings of safely accessible hazard trees. Cutting and removal work continues as crews cut trees at mileposts 41 and 47-48. Portland General Electric (PGE) and other utility companies continue work adjacent to power lines. 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
To date, more than 150,000 tons of ash and debris have been removed from the Almeda fire area – roughly the weight of 12,000 school buses. 20 crews continue to remove debris from mobile home parks and home sites. With crews transitioning from mobile home parks to single-family home sites, the overall pace will continue to slow slightly. Hazard tree marking and removal continues along the Bear Creek Greenway and near debris removal sites. Oregon Governor Kate Brown and state leadership visited the cleared Mountain View Estates property yesterday.
Archie Creek Fire area
Douglas County, Highway 138
Debris removal work continues in the Rock Creek area and surrounding community with 27 home sites cleared to date. Hazard tree crews continue work at Baker Wayside Park and milepost 27.5. Crews and Debris Management Task Force leadership continue to plan for and protect culturally significant sites in the corridor.
South Obenchain Fire area
Jackson County, northeast of Eagle Point, Highways 62 and 140
Right of Entry agreements are complete for 16 properties. Future work plans are underway as local priorities shift.
Thielsen Fire area
Eastern Douglas County, Highway 138
Due to higher elevation snow, operations will begin soon. Contractor coordination and planning continues.
242 Fire area
Klamath County, Highways 62 and 97
Hazard tree marking is complete at Collier State Park and hazard tree removal work will begin in the near future.
Topics of the Week
Oregon Governor Kate Brown and state leadership toured a Jackson County debris removal site yesterday (Thursday, April 29) with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Jackson County, Oregon Officer of Emergency Management (OEM) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) leadership. Both property owners and the media learned more about the significant progress being made.
Fire-impacted corridors continue to be extremely busy with wildfire recovery activity. We ask that all motorists help us help Oregon by using alternate routes, especially during holidays and peak travel times. We strongly recommend checking TripCheck for the latest traffic delay updates and using alternate routes to avoid these areas. Highway 224 remains closed, with discussions underway about reopening later this year. Motorists and community members should expect long delays. We thank everyone for their patience and cooperation as crews perform this critical work for Oregon and plan for reopening.
Air Quality Monitoring Report | 4/19 - 4/25
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: 7
Number of air samples collected: 29
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: 2
Number of air samples collected: 6
Results above action level: 0
Visual monitoring: no recorded dust levels that exceeded action levels
Holiday Farm Fire
Number of properties that had air sampling: 1
Number of air samples collected: 6
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 Task Force 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.
