Wildfire Recovery Resources

2020 Labor Day Fires

What happened: The Beachie Creek, Lionshead, and P-515 fires were ignited by lightning in the Opal Creek Wilderness and Warm Springs Reservation in mid-August 2020. These fires grew in size through early September during a heatwave. Then, fanned by powerful east winds on September 9, 2020, the fires merged and raged through the Santiam Canyon. The fires killed 5 people and destroyed over 1,500 structures in the Santiam Canyon, including massive destruction to the City of Gates.

Resources

  • The Marion County Emergency Management website houses information about the Oregon Debris Management Task Force, information about building and septic permitting, and wildfire response reports/newsletters.

  • Visit https://www.santiamrecovery.org/ for information about case management services, rebuilding, and other resources available to fire survivors.

    You can find volunteer opportunities with the LTRG here.

  • The Oregon Wildfire Recovery webpage includes updates about the recovery process and houses information about cleanup, housing solutions, financial resources for home and business owners, drinking water, etc.

  • Money from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services, will pay for new programs to help individuals, households, and communities continue to recover from the 2020 fires. This effort, which is called "ReOregon," will provide new permanent housing in the areas most impacted by the fires. A final Action Plan to use the allotted $422M will be submitted by 6/8/2022, and is set to be approved by September.

    Click here for more information about the program, to provide feedback on the proposed Action Plan, and to see how you can access these funds when they become available.

    Proposed programs include the Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) and the Homeowners Opportunities Program (HOP).

  • Click here for a brochure about hazard mitigation, home weatherization, and emergency preparedness targeted toward Santiam Canyon residents. Paper copies available at City Hall.

    Fire Hardening Grant Program: Incentives/grants directly to home and business owners who complete qualifying fire hardening improvements on their home or business that was damaged or destroyed during 2020 fires.

    Energy Efficient Wildfire Rebuilding Incentive: Incentives for home and business owners to incorporate energy efficiency improvements when rebuilding structures damaged or destroyed during the 2020 fires.

    Interactive PDF to match you with hazard mitigation resources that meet your needs. Also available on this webpage.

  • Interactive PDF to match you with energy efficiency/renewable energy programs that meet your needs. Also available on this webpage.

    Energy Efficient Wildfire Rebuilding Incentive: Incentives for home and business owners to incorporate energy efficiency improvements when rebuilding structures damaged or destroyed during the 2020 fires.

  • Please visit here, or call 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Click this link for the FEMA fact sheet: Eligibility and Appeal. Visit this link for information on fraud schemes.

  • For updates about state-led tree removal work, click here to access the Debris Management Task Force blog.

    Please click here to read a letter from the USFS Supervisor’s Office to find what you need to gain permission to cut fire damaged trees on Forest Service Land adjacent to private property. Forest Ranger, Penny Keen can be reached for more information at 541.460.8930, or penny.keen@usda.gov.