Wildfire Resources
On behalf of the communities in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, I want to offer my deep appreciation to the incredible fire crews, emergency personnel, and the support teams who have been working around the clock on the Flat Fire, burning just outside of Sisters.
For day-by-day updates on the Flat Fire, you can follow the Oregon State Fire Marshal Facebook page, and you can sign up for evacuation alerts by visiting https://oralert.gov/.
If you or someone you know needs help accessing federal resources or have any questions during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. You can call my office at (503) 387-8651 between our hours 8:00AM – 5:00PM PT, or send me an email through my website at any time.
This is a difficult time for many. If you need someone to talk to, you can call or text the Disaster Distress Hotline at 1 (800) 985-5990.
As the work to battle the fire continues and we start to rebuild, I stand ready to work with our partners at every level of government and ensure that no Oregonian gets left behind.
Preparing for Wildfire Season
As we make our way through peak wildfire season, I want to make sure you have all the resources you need to stay safe. See below for some tips and best practices.
Wildfire Prevention:
● Check and follow local fire regulations
● Avoid parking vehicles on tall, dry grass
● If making a campfire, make sure it is completely OUT before leaving it
Protect Your Home:
● Clear leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof, gutters, and under decks
● Remove dead plants and wood mulch
● Move firewood and other flammable items to at least five feet away from your home
Have a Plan:
● Establish a communication plan with loved ones
● Identify multiple evacuation routes
● Pack a go-bag of essential supplies
For more information about how to prepare your home, visit https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/preparing-homes-for-wildfire.
Stay Updated
It is important to stay informed about wildfires in the area. For an interactive map of active wildfires across the state, visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website. To sign up to receive evacuation alerts, visit ORAlert.gov. For more information on tips for wildfire prevention, news alerts, and more information, visit Wildfire.Oregon.gov. You can also find the most recent updates on road closures in your area here.
Help After a Wildfire
After a wildfire, I want to be sure you have what you need so you, your loved ones, and your community can work together to start to build back.
If your home has been damaged by the wildfire, the State of Oregon has a variety of resources available to you, including information on wildfire cleanup for homes and businesses, landowner assistance, and advice on how to safely manage ash and debris.
The federal government also provides services and loans to help families recover from major disasters, including wildfires. See below for more information:
Small Business Administration (SBA): A Major Disaster Declaration unlocks assistance from the SBA. Homeowners, businesses of all sizes, renters, and private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area can apply for SBA disaster loans. These disaster loans can be used for:
● Losses not covered by insurance or funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for both personal and business
● Businesses operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred
To find out if you are eligible for SBA Assistance, please visit sba.gov/disaster, call 800-659-2955, or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Following a major disaster, the has several assistance programs to help with rehabilitating farmland, watersheds, and forests, provide support for rural businesses and homes, and for crop and livestock loss. To learn more about these recovery programs, you can visit https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/wildfire.