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Dear friends,
I want to provide a final update with fire-specific resources before reverting to monthly e-bulletins as we head into October. I'll share any further resources next week in my monthly bulletin. Below you will find information on:
- Holiday Farm and Archie Creek Fire Status Reports
- Highway 126 Reopens Beginning on Friday
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Wildfire Survivors
- SNAP and School Meal Access for Oregonians Affected by Wildfires
- Fire Resource Links
This week, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley's office started forwarding me a list of locations and times where/when FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams will be available for consultation and assistance. I am posting that information daily on my Facebook page.
Please keep in mind that recovery for many will be a long road. You can still help by donating to the United Way, the Oregon Food Bank, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, and/or the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund to support mid- and long-term recovery. I hope this information is helpful and informative for you or someone you know. As always, feel free to share your comments, questions or concerns with me by phone, mail or e-mail.
Holiday Farm and Archie Creek Fire Status Reports
Here's the latest from the Oregon Department of Forestry (as of October 2):
Holiday Farm Fire
- The size of the fire stands at 173,094 acres and is now 70 percent contained.
- At least 431 structures have been destroyed.
- 650 personnel have been working the fire, including 17 hand crews, 44 engines, 7 bulldozers, 7 water tenders and 3 other types of heavy equipment. Fire crews continue to tie containment lines together in tough-to-get-to areas while being supported in the air by 4 assigned helicopters.
Archie Creek Fire
- The size of the fire stands at 131,542 acres and is 79 percent contained.
- At least 113 structures have been destroyed.
Highway 126 Reopens
ODOT announced that Highway 126 (McKenzie River Highway) between milepost 27.55 and milepost 38 would open for travel beginning today, Friday, October 2, at noon. ODOT cautions that travelers should continue to take alternate routes, if possible, because hazards remain and recovery work continues. Those who do not live or work in the area are urged to avoid Highway 126 and other roads affected by the wildfires.
Pilot cars will guide caravans between the road closure points, on the west end two miles east of Vida at milepost 27.55 to east of Finn Rock at milepost 38, one direction at a time. Travelers should prepare for lengthy delays at multiple work zones as crews continue recovery work. There is potential for falling trees and rocks, debris on the side of the road, and missing guardrails. More than 400 signs need to be replaced.
ODOT advises that the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph between mileposts 28 and 38. Extra patrols will enforce the new speed restriction. As always, visit www.TripCheck.com for the latest information.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Wildfire Survivors
Oregon disaster survivors who have lost work as a direct result of the wildfires since September 7 are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA benefits are available to workers in the eight Oregon counties that have been federally designated for disaster assistance: Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion.
DUA is funded by FEMA and administered by the Oregon Employment Department. DUA helps workers whose primary incomes have been lost or interrupted by a federally declared disaster. It differs from regular state unemployment insurance because it also provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, loggers and employees who work on commission. In addition, it helps those who are unable to reach their place of employment or are unable to work because of an injury as a direct result of the fires.
To receive DUA, an individual must not receive regular state unemployment, pandemic emergency unemployment compensation or pandemic unemployment assistance. Claimants must also meet normal eligibility requirements for an Oregon Unemployment Insurance claim.
The deadline to file a claim is October 23, 2020. Required documentation, including proof of employment or self-employment at the time of the wildfires or income for 2019, must be submitted within 21 days of filing. To apply:
- Visit www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/Disaster
- Call 503-570-5000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Packets are available at some evacuation sites and state WorkSource Centers.
Oregon DUA benefits apply to weeks of unemployment beginning with the week starting September 13 and will be available through March 20, 2021, as long as the individual's unemployment continues as a result of the wildfires.
SNAP and School Meal Access for Oregonians Affected by Wildfires
The following food access information may be helpful for individuals and families affected by the fires:
Replacement of SNAP Benefits
SNAP recipients that lost food or had food spoiled due to the wildfires, evacuations, and/or power outages can replace up to a full month of benefits for their household size to cover the lost food. To do this, a recipient should contact the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). Either call a local DHS office or submit a written request.
DHS will ask for documentation regarding the food loss. This includes a signed statement, a list of lost or spoiled food, and the amount paid for the food. When a recipient speaks with a DHS eligibility worker, the worker will provide more details on the documentation needed.
Replacement of EBT Cards
If a SNAP recipient lost their EBT card due to evacuating or their card was destroyed in a fire, they are able to get a replacement card. Typically, card replacements happen through the DHS card replacement hotline (1-855-328-6715, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). However, for cards destroyed in a fire and/or where a delay in receiving an EBT card would impact a household's health and safety, replacement cards can be given by a DHS office. (Note: Anyone can be served by any office in Oregon).
Meals for Children Ages 1-18
School districts and community organizations are still serving meals to children ages 1-18: https://www.summerfoodoregon.org/map/. If a school district has temporarily paused meal service, children are able to access meals at neighboring school districts or community sites. Eligibility to receive a meal through the summer meal program is not tied to school or school district enrollment. If a school or community organization that usually serves school or summer meals is concerned about meeting food access needs in their community due to the fires, they can reach out to their local county or ODE Child Nutrition Programs.
Fire Resource Links
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