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Doug Grafe, Chief, Fire Protection
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Ron Graham, Deputy Chief, Fire Protection
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The fire season update email below came to you all on the cusp of one of Oregon’s most destructive natural disasters in modern times. It has now been just over a month since the Labor Day fires, and it has been an honor to serve Oregon through every minute of these difficult times. Thankfully, this will be my final 2020 fire season email, as the typical cool and rainy fall weather pattern is now taking hold in earnest.
Forecasted Fall Weather
Fire danger is expected to decrease as we extend deeper into our typical fall weather pattern... for more information, you can watch the October 8th Fire Protection message here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=376456246863343.
Oregon’s Current Fire Activity
As of October 8, Oregon has experienced 2,027 fires for 1,221,324 acres burned. A summary of ongoing large fires (Riverside, Beachie Creek, Lionshead, Holliday Farm, Archie Creek and Slater) and a useful visual are available at: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/firemap.aspx.
ODF Fire Protection and Large Fire Cost
To date on ODF-protected lands, we have responded to 907 fires, for a total of 551,816 acres burned. Our 10-year average to date is 885 fires and 41,353 acres burned. Our current condition truly has no comparison. In 1933, the first of the state’s historic Tillamook burns consumed approximately 340,000 ODF-protected acres. Until last month, that fire season had the most ODF-protected acres burned in our 109 year history.
Since the dramatic fire year of 2013, our average gross costs have escalated from approximately $10 million to $70 million annually. This fire season’s costs will clearly continue the steep incline in wildfire suppression costs since 2013.
 Smoke impacts
It really goes without saying that the smoke impacts from wildfire have been staggering. You can stay up to date on smoke levels in your area and statewide on Oregon's smoke blog. City, county, tribal, state and federal agencies coordinate and aggregate the wildfire smoke information for this site. Along with staying up to date with the Smoke Blog, you can also check air quality levels using a mobile device through the OregonAir app.
Additional Information Sources
My sincerest gratitude to all who have reached out in support of Oregon’s first responders. In wildfire events, these responders come in many forms, from professional federal, state, and local agency personnel to forest and range landowners trained in wildfire response, professional fire contractors, and volunteers trained in emergency response. As I reflect on this experience, I’m humbled by Oregon’s response to this crisis, and during a global pandemic no less. Many thanks and much admiration to all of the dedicated professionals I have had the privilege to work alongside this fire season.
 Thank you so much for taking the time to watch, listen and and learn from our distinquished list of speakers for the October 6th fireside chat. We were honored to be joined by:
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Dolph Diemont, Federal Emergency Management Agency fema.gov
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Doug Grafe, Chief of Fire Protection, Oregon Department of Forestry
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Margaret Salazar, Director of the Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHCS)
Please visit the following facebook pages for more information on Oregon's efforts and work with FEMA.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=376456246863343.
Senator Johnson's podcast from last week is live.
Oregon took a significant step forward in wildfire recovery efforts this week. A State-requested direct housing mission to help provide temporary housing for hundreds of Oregonians displaced by wildfire was granted from FEMA on Wednesday, October 7.
The state and FEMA are finalizing the implementation plan for this mission, under which residents in Jackson, Linn and Marion Counties who lost their homes in September wildfires may be eligible. Considerations for prioritization of these three counties included factors such as immediate need and lack of available rental resources. Jackson County alone accounts for more than half of the homes lost in Oregon.
Housing solutions in this mission are tailored to the individual needs and situations of survivors based on how quickly their homes can be repaired to a safe, sanitary and secure condition, and the availability of housing options in their communities.
“The approval of this housing mission is an important milestone in the recovery process and provides some temporary stability to those who have undergone such disruption,” said Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “We’re grateful to FEMA for their support and continue to work directly with our state and local partners to put our plans in action.”
Direct housing assistance was requested for Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion Counties. FEMA continues to evaluate the need for temporary housing assistance in additional affected counties. The state continues to work directly with the Red Cross and other public and private partners to ensure every impacted Oregonian has a safe place to stay.
To be eligible for direct housing assistance, Oregon wildfire survivors must register with FEMA and reside in Jackson, Linn or Marion County. Damage must be to the primary residence and must be a result of the wildfires. FEMA will reach out to individual households who are potentially eligible for direct temporary housing based on the results of their FEMA inspection.
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“We are deeply grateful to Oregon’s Federal Delegation and the Federal Government for recognizing the need in Oregon,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director Margaret Salazar. “We were already facing extreme housing shortages across the state. The massive loss of housing caused by the wildfires only exacerbated this crisis. This swift action and much needed federal aid is welcome news to Oregon families impacted by the wildfires.”
Strong windstorms on September 7 ignited multiple wildfires across western Oregon and exacerbated wildfires already in progress. More than 1 million acres burned in 20 Oregon counties; some 4,100 homes were destroyed and thousands more suffered major damage. The State of Oregon requested Direct Housing Assistance to meet the needs of disaster survivors based on the high number of destroyed homes and displaced residents as well as an extreme housing shortage within highly vulnerable communities.
Direct Housing Assistance is a program available through FEMA’s Individual and Household Program (IHP). The FEMA temporary housing program provides housing for up to 18 months after a disaster declaration. Commonly, FEMA’s disaster housing programs pay for rental of apartments and homes and for immediate home repairs.
Contact Info: State Recovery Information Center 503-373-7872 fire.info@state.or.us
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 October 13th KXCR 90.7: Can industries survive Covid 19 and the Wildfires of 2020?
Last week, we looked at how COVID19 changed the way state and federal agencies respond to natural disasters and evacuation. On Tuesday, October 13th, join Sen. Arnie Roblan as he discusses the impact of the coronavirus and wildfires on Oregon's seafood industry operations now, and for the foreseeable future.
 Speakers Include:
Jon Steinman, CEO of the Pacific Seafood (invited)
Paul Durant, of Durant vineyards, Redridge farms & the Oregon Olive Mill. Paul will discuss the wine industry and the impact of 2020 wildfires in Yamhill & Dayton counties, PPP and growing olives to make olive oil.
Nick Edwards, Secretary of the Shrimp Producers Marketing Cooperative. SPMC is the largest commercial fishing association on the West Coast. Nick is the first US fisherman on the board of ICWPF, International Cold Water Prawn Forum. The organization markets and promotes cold water shrimp in the European Union.
Yelena Nowack, Director of the Oregon Trawl Commission (OTC). She represents three Oregon fisheries, the whiting fishery, the bottom fish Industry and Oregon’s Pink Shrimp fishery. We’re very lucky to have her passion at the helm of the OTC.
What: KXCR 90.7 FM "Fireside (Weekly) Chats"
When: Tuesday, October 13th
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Join us live on Twitter and Instagram or tune into on KXCR ttps://www.twitch.tv/kxcr_streaming or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kxcr90.7/
Governor held a press briefing and announced a new rapid testing strategy. Her press release is here, or you can re-watch the briefing here.
A research team interviewed hundreds of Oregon farmworkers found many reported social distancing on the job is difficult, with crowded living arrangements and language barriers for some posting extra challenges.
The economic downturn has impacted low wage workers the most, and they are most in need of this financial support, an overview from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis' blog two weeks ago following the Rev. Forecast - Bottom Line: We know that the sectors most impacted by the pandemic are generally lower-wage industries.
Pamplin profiled students who channeled their creative energy to support racial justice movements. Students from Lincoln and Lakeridge High are featured.
Both Madison High and Kellogg Middle Schools are looking into changing their names. Madison has officially started the process.
The Oregon State song has received criticism over the years over racist lyrics, a previous effort to change lyrics will likely come up again this session.
The Oracle/Google fight has made its way to the Supreme Court.
Senator Wyden and Rep. Defazio are working to spearhead debris removal caused by winds/fires ahead of the upcoming rainy season as they could impact waterways.
Ahead of the wildfires, both Salem and Eugene experienced the driest years on record.
The NW Labor Press has joined the effort to share accurate information on election security.
In Presidential news, Trump has changed his stance on portions of a stimulus bill, which also affected the stock market today.
The New York Times dove into the Trump Admin’s child separation policy and motivations, which originated when Jeff Sessions was the AG.
Trump also lost the appeal to keep his tax records private.
In a poll from the Hill, 74% of voters want the Senate to vote on further COVID relief ahead of confirming a SCOTUS nominee.
The FDA is working to maintain rigorous guidelines in vaccine development despite the Trump Admin’s push to have more lax guidelines.
DHS completed COVID-19 testing at 20 long term care facilities.
UO has had nearly 200 positive COVID-19 tests over the past two weeks.
In Marion County workplace outbreaks have been increasing.
Restaurants are concerned about business going into the rainy season as many have depended on outdoor seating.
In downtown Portland, subleases are on the rise as folks work from home and businesses relocate amid the pandemic.
Portland Public Schools have decided remote learning will continue through at least January.
Another school has experienced a racist “Zoom bomber”.
Former Congressman Jim Weaver passed away, he was 93.
Portland startup Workfrom is receiving a $50,000 investment from Google as part of the search giant’s $5 million Google for Startups Black Founders Fund.
I previously shared an article about a Portland father who was hit over the head, causing a concussion by a Portland police officer. Others, including journalists, have experienced violence from the same officer.
A case from approx. four years ago around law enforcement use of pepper spray has made its way to federal court, the second case to come in front of the court since the pandemic.
Nurses have been working to unionize at a for-profit hospital in McMinnville.
OPB spoke to Oregon’s teacher of the year, a Native woman who teaches in the Bethel School District.
A US Forest Service supervisor and member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe discusses about how to help prevent wildfires with small, controlled burns.
Pamplin took a look at the ADA at 30 years old.
The Ford Family Foundation has released Oregon by the numbers.
Tomorrow, Senator Gelser is hosting an elections-focused town hall.
And the SOS put out a release with voter information. Her letter to voters in the voter pamphlet also has great information.
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