Wildfire Update

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 09/15/2020 04:15 PM PDT

Important Wildfire Information

Doug Grafe, Chief of Fire Protection, ODF

Weather pattern is fairly good, but there is a southern wind picking up that could be problematic in south/central Oregon
Moisture is now pushed to Thursday and will come with lightening. Will help much of the fires on the west side of the state, relative to firefighting conditions
Overall pinch points:
- Lion’s Head continues to be problematic continue to move west of cascades
- Thielsen fire is in 6,000 acre range currently
- South–east side is seeing a problem with expansion
- Developing fire with south/central wind blow is Bratton. In range of 30-40,000 acres.
- Continuing to move resources into that area. We need to prioritize that area over the next 48 hours.
Echo Mtn and North Bank Rd., coastal fires all looking really good.
Fires out West of Portland and Chehalem fires looking good
Archie, Riverside, Lion’s Head and Beachie fires are making outstanding headway
- Availability of the land-owner resources has been outstanding
A lot of progress made, a lot of work left to do ahead of us
- Winds will impact the east side the most, but we are going to make a lot of good progress this week.

Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Office of State Fire Marshall

Both offices are closely aligned on Slater, Bratton, and Thielsen fires.
Bratton fire under conflagration. Looking in areas where they’ll be glide sloping out: Alameda, 242, and North Cascades.
- Not completely out of N. Cascades, but feeling good about the structures in that area. Leaving resources for mopping up, but Alameda and 242 will end conflagration in the next 48 hours.
Supplant resources for some of these fires that have already been there.
- After staffing Bratton, will be looking to get current firefighers out of there and then get new people in there to replenish. Bratton is a new conflagration.
Most of attention now is focused on recovery, damage assessment, and assuring resources for mop up.

General Stencel, Adjutant General Oregon National Guard

More than 700 guards mobilized, expecting over 1000 by the end of the-week
Traffic Control points: 323 members monitoring several different points. 150 service members in 46 points. Looking at doubling over the next couple of days for 20 additional TCPs
Aviation: able to transfer 2 of 11 aircraft down to Klamath Falls today to provide support on Bratton tomorrow afternoon. Finally engaging on aviation front.
Two 125-person fire teams on station: 242 fire in Klamath. Echo Mtn fire in Lincoln county. Then moving an engine to Archie Creek fire in Douglas County.
Expecting more guardsmen to train and be departing for the fires on the 21st of September.
- Team coming in from Idaho, coming with Crew Boss which will be critical. Also have crews coming in from Montana and Florida. Federal delegation has been great support with that.
Placing fatality search and recovery team using 8 airmen and collaborating with FEMA using 10 guardsmen.

Andrew Phelps, Director, Office of Emergency Management

Mass care operations:
- 3,600 people currently relying on Red Cross and sheltering right now. About 2,400 in non-congregate facilities. Overnight the Red Cross sheltered 438 individuals.
- More folks finding their way out of congregate shelters.
- Over 12 states have been providing resources and providing reprieve for current volunteers and workers.

Today the governor submitted a major disaster declaration request. For both individual and public assistance. 48 counties have asked, and the list is growing. 8 counties are requesting individual assistance primarily for help for families to rebuild their homes.
Governor did request 100% cost share for the individual portion. Hopeful, and have the delegation’s support. Will be the 5th major disaster declaration Oregon has received in the last 18 months, which is significant. Covid, flooding, etc. So the 100% cost share would be great.
Joint Information Center continues to update the wildfire information online. Great clearing house for information as more resources come online.
Rumors: Amplify and share messages from government sources.
- Preventing GoFundMe scams, etc.
- Rumors can cost lives. We’re relying on government entities and media partners to ensure accurate information is being conveyed responsibly.
  - Reach out to reputable organizations if you want to give. Oregon Voluntary Active in Disasters
  - Find more resources at state website: wildfire.oregon.gov
Will be a long-duration recovery operation for our state.

E. WERNER RESCHKE
State Representative
Southern Klamath & Lake Counties

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1456
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke

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