Oregon Wildfires and COVID-19 Sample

OREGON OFFICE OF
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT

Wildfire Recovery Update for Nov. 30, 2020

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with state and federal partners, distributes this update of collated and verified information on Oregon's wildfire recovery efforts.

Wildfire survivors get temporary housing
Although the long year of COVID-19 and raging September wildfires left a toll on many Oregonians, and made celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday a challenge, Simon Turner and his family had something to be grateful for.

This past weekend Turner signed paperwork to move into a new home. It’s not a place with a picket fence, but the Turners and two other families completed necessary forms to get the keys to a move-in-ready RV in a Jackson County park. They can stay through March 15, 2022, or until they find more permanent housing.

The RVs are part of the FEMA temporary housing mission approved for Jackson County. RVs are being located in commercial parks where pads and utilities already exist. FEMA plans to build group sites in the affected areas so survivors can remain close to their communities, schools and places of worship.

To read more about Turner and his recovery from the Almeda fire, see this article in The Ashland Tidings.

Why wasn’t my county approved for FEMA Temporary Housing Mission?
In considering approval for a Temporary Housing Mission, FEMA looks at all available data to evaluate the need to approve counties, which includes housing availability. Currently, direct temporary housing is approved for Jackson, Linn, Marion and Lincoln Counties. The FEMA leadership team, along with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, works directly with local communities to provide the best temporary housing plans for survivors.

Determinations rely on information received from applicants in affected counties, which is why so much importance is placed on survivors applying with FEMA.

The application deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (which can include rental housing assistance) was extended to November 30, 2020 (today).

In addition, many physical, community and housing market factors influence the ability of temporary housing solutions to be effective. This includes the availability of housing options in the local market and property parcels that have access to public utilities and transportation.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer. Contact David Cardona, OEM Language Access Coordinator at 971-719-1183 or email david.cardona@state.or.us. We accept all relay calls or you can dial 711.

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