The state of Oregon announced Monday it will provide free fire debris cleanup for all homes and businesses hit by disastrous September wildfires, including those in Otis in Lincoln County.
The smaller task of picking out the hazardous debris from burned sites was already being covered at no cost. That work is nearly done.
It wasn’t clear before Monday who would pay the estimated $621 million price tag for the monumental task of clearing away ash, rubble, metal mobile home bases, burned vehicles, damaged trees and other leftover debris from burned communities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay most of the tab, and the state has agreed to cover any remaining costs not reimbursed by FEMA, state officials announced.
Some homeowners have already begun clearing away fire debris, especially if they had insurance policies that fully covered the losses. But many lack insurance or were under-insured.
Home and business owners who opt into the government-funded cleanup program will pay no upfront costs for any cleanup work. Additionally, no government agency or contractor will seek payment from any insurance policy unless it is specifically designated for debris removal or left over after the home or business is completely rebuilt, state officials said.
The Oregon Department of Transportation, which has experience with major infrastructure projects, will take the lead on the debris cleanup program.
“Our mission is to safely clear the ash and debris as quickly as possible, and leave Oregonians with a clean site so they can rebuild,” said Kris Strickler, director of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Property owners need to sign a right-of-entry form to allow cleanup crews onto their property. Cleanup crews will remove ash and structural debris, hazard trees, concrete foundations and burned vehicles.
For more information, visit wildfire.oregon.gov\cleanup or call the wildfire debris cleanup hotline at 503-934-1700.
Also Monday, FEMA announced that the deadline for survivors of Oregon wildfires to apply for FEMA individual disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration was extended to Nov. 30.
The assistance can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Apply for disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).
On Monday, Lincoln County Emergency Services provided a tally of aid to fire victims in the Otis area.
▪ 230 individuals and households have been approved for nearly $1.8 million in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
▪ More than $4.9 million in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans have been approved for 34 homeowners and renters as of Nov. 13.
Housing Assistance:
▪ More than $1.4 million in grants approved for housing repairs or replacement for 121 homeowners.
▪ $387,993 in grants have been approved for personal property, transportation and other disaster-related serious needs for 204 applicants.
▪ 317 home inspections have been issued with 99 percent completed.
Direct Temporary Housing
▪ Lincoln County has been approved to participate in FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Program.
▪ Survivors do not apply for Direct Temporary Housing, rather FEMA will contact applicants who are eligible and meet the criteria established for the program.
▪ FEMA is contacting eligible survivors to determine their interest and explain the program. Based on the information provided by the applicant, FEMA determines the type of housing that will best meet the needs of each survivor’s family.
▪ Assistance is available for up to 18 months from the date of the disaster declaration (Sept. 15, 2020 through March 15, 2022) while survivors work toward their long-term housing solution.