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Weekly Update - July 2, 2021


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General Operation Updates


Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Debris Management Task Force leadership are committed to ensuring prime contractors and subcontractors reflect the spirit of Oregon values, the needs and priorities of local Oregon communities, and our commitment to accountability.

The State of Oregon and ODOT have expectations that the work associated with hazard tree cutting and removal and private property debris cleanup will be completed by later this year. When comparing the performance of Beachie Creek and Riverside prime contractor Engineering and Construction Contracts (ECCs) to others, we did not feel that they would be able to complete the work in a reasonable timeframe; thus, found it in the best interest of the public to terminate all contracts with ECC for convenience on June 28, 2021.


As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a number of measures will be taken to support safety and travel, including a brief work pause in fire corridors. Speed zones will remain strongly enforced in work areas as crews pause work during the holiday weekend to decrease delays. Using alternate routes is still encouraged.


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 Debris removal 43% complete; hazard tree removal 37.5% complete

Echo Mountain Fire area Lincoln County, Lincoln City area, Highway 18 and adjacent area Debris removal 88% complete; hazard tree removal 61% complete

(remainder of trees are primarily on property sites participating in the state program)


Holiday Farm Fire area Lane County, McKenzie River area, Highway 126 Debris removal 58% complete; hazard tree removal 72% complete


Riverside Fire area Estacada area, Clackamas County, Highways 224 and 211 Debris removal 75% complete; hazard tree removal 18% complete

  • Debris removal is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. 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 Debris removal 83% complete; hazard tree removal 62% complete (remaining hazard trees primarily on private properties participating in the program)

  • Work in this area is on track to be complete in the summer.

Archie Creek Fire area Douglas County, Highway 138 Debris removal 87% complete; hazard tree removal 32% complete

South Obenchain Fire area Jackson County, northeast of Eagle Point, Highways 62 and 140 Debris removal 41% complete; hazard tree removal N/A

  • Debris removal work has now begun in the Butte Falls Highway area and crews expect to quickly complete work on the approximately 17 home sites participating in the program.

Thielsen Fire area Eastern Douglas County, Highway 138 Debris removal N/A; hazard tree removal 15% complete


242 Fire area Klamath County, Highways 62 and 97 Debris removal 0% complete; hazard tree removal 0% complete

  • Debris removal work began this week and with nearly all fire-damaged hazard trees evaluated and marked, tree removal work is expected to begin in the coming weeks. Local parks have been reopened through state hazard tree removal efforts.


 

Topics of the Week


  • With the 2021 Oregon state legislative session having ended Saturday, June 26, a number of wildfire funding and recovery items were passed and approved. While House Bill 3127 was integrated into other funding bills, Senate Bill 762 added a variety of wildfire resilience, prevention and funding resources as we enter another potentially severe wildfire season. Read Governor Brown’s list of wildfire recovery actions and bills in her office’s post-session recap here.

 

Air Quality Monitoring Report | 6/21 - 6/27


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: 4

  • Number of air samples collected: 19

  • 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: 4

  • Number of air samples collected: 13

  • 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: 5

  • Number of air samples collected: 16

  • Results above action level: 0

  • Visual monitoring: no recorded dust levels that exceeded action levels

Obenchain 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


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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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Wildfire waste and debris removal

The State of Oregon is working with federal, state and local partners to remove hazardous waste, and ash and debris from the 2020 Oregon wildfires safely, efficiently, and as quickly as possible. The Oregon Departments of Transportation, Environmental Quality and Emergency Management are leading the effort, with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assistance.

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