Wildfire Recovery

Side Menu

Wildfire Recovery

Debris Management Task Force

The state will begin Step 2 ash and debris removal work in 2021. If your home has been destroyed or damaged by wildfire, please use caution when returning to the burn area and review the information below for guidelines and recommendations. Fire and ash debris can be hazardous to your health.

Sign-up for updates from the Oregon Debris Management Task Force or visit debriscleanupnews.com.

Check for Step 2 Cleanup Progress using ODOT's interactive address lookup map.

To use the address lookup map, type in your unique access ID to see the status of your property, as well as what documentation ODOT has on file for your property. Look for your access ID in the email or letter the task force sent to property owners in December 2020.

Debris Management Task Force informational flyers:
Steps of Property Cleanup
Information for Property Owners

Access Limited Along North Fork Corridor

Marion County is temporarily restricting access and closing parks along the Little North Fork Santiam River corridor.

Public access to North Fork, Gates Hill, and Pioneer Roads will be limited to property owners and their guests, contractors, and agents.

The county is additionally closing North Fork Park, Salmon Falls Park, and Bear Creek Park and Campground and the corridor will be closed to bicyclists and non-resident pedestrians.

Public and private lands around the Little North Fork Santiam River basin were heavily damaged during the September 2020 Beachie Creek and Lionshead wildfires. The closures are meant to support rebuilding and reconstruction of wildfire damaged properties.

North Fork Road Temporary Use Restrictions - Order 21-025
Closure of North Fork, Salmon Falls, and Bear Creek Parks - Order 21-026

Please see the press release for more information.

Step 2: Debris Removal

Many are anxious to return to properties damaged or destroyed by fires; however, it's important to follow the process carefully to protect your health, the environment, and the community's ability to rebuild as quickly as possible. Marion County is coordinating with state and federal partners to ensure timely removal of hazardous trees and debris from properties damaged by the wildfires.

Property owners will need to complete a Right of Entry form to allow state and federal authorities temporary access to properties to remove ash and debris at no charge. If you haven't filled out a Right of Entry (ROE) form or if you opted out of Step 2, there's still time. Complete the ROE in just a few minutes.

Right of Entry Form

Read the Hazard Tree FAQ below for more information about this stage of the cleanup.

See Step 2 press release.

Video: Oregon Wildfire Cleanup Update - Debris Management Task Force - Nov. 1, 2020

Property Owner Questions

Oregon Wildfire Debris Cleanup Hotline: 503-934-1700 or email odot.wildfire@odot.state.or.us

Right-of-Entry permit questions:
Call Marion County at 503-365-3140 or email wildfirerightofentry@co.marion.or.us.

If you have signed up and would like to withdraw your right of entry form, removing access for agencies to remove debris, please go to https://www.tfaforms.com/4860484.

Additional Resources

Wildfire Debris Information Sheet

Oregon Wildfire Rebuild - Construction Contractors Board

Right of Entry FAQ - Oct. 15, 2020

State of Oregon Debris Removal FAQ
EPA Fire Recovery Map

Oregon Wildfire - Wildfire Cleanup and Debris

Marion County Disposal and Erosion Information
Opting Out of Government Assistance for Wildfire Cleanup

Hazard Tree FAQ

ODOT Marked Trees.png

Q1. Who is responsible for felling hazardous trees from my property?

Different agencies are responsible for cutting down trees depending on the location of the trees.

State of Oregon:

The State of Oregon is responsible for cutting down trees on private property that are a hazard to cleanup crews or the public right-of-way as part of the Step 2 cleanup process. However, you must sign the Right of Entry form for Step 2: Ash and Debris Removal to be included in this process. Trees that are not a hazard to cleanup crews or the public right-of-way are the responsibility of the property owner.

Power companies:

Power companies including Consumer's Power, Inc. (CPI) and Pacific Power are responsible for cutting down trees on private property that are creating a hazard to power poles and lines.

Q2. Tell me how hazardous trees are being handled by the state in wildfire cleanup situations.

If you signed a Right of Entry form for Step 2: Ash and Debris Removal, here's what the state is doing in regards to hazardous trees on private property:

The Wildfire Debris Removal Task Force has hired contractors to complete this work starting in January 2021 but the property owner must first complete a private property debris removal questionnaire. See Q3 below.
Property owners will be contacted by state contractors before work is done on trees on developed private property.
A professional arborist will assess trees near homes and businesses to determine if they pose a safety threat to cleanup crews working to remove ash and debris in the area.
Contractors will only cut down hazard trees that pose a danger, such as a tree leaning over the burned down area of a home.
Trees on undeveloped private property or that is away from the destroyed home or business is the responsibility of the property owner. They will not be included in the state cleanup process.
The state will cut felled trees into smaller, manageable log segments and pile them for property owners on their land. Any slash from felled logs, like branches, leaves and needles will be chipped and spread on the property for erosion control.
The state will not haul away any felled trees or log segments from private property. Owners can decide what they would like to do with the log segments.

Source: Oregon Debris Management Taskforce, 2020

Q3. If I signed the Right of Entry form for Step 2: Ash and Debris Removal, what do I need to do to have hazardous trees cut down on my property?

Answer

The State of Oregon and its contractors will not be removing trees from private property. Please see Q2 for details regarding the process for felling and processing trees on private property.
Watch for a letter from the state with your unique property identifying number.
After receiving the letter, complete a private property debris removal questionnaire online (available in multiple languages) at https://wildfire.oregon.gov/cleanup or by calling the hotline at 503-934-1700. You will need your property identifying number to complete the questionnaire.

If you complete the property information form, hazardous trees that pose a threat to the cleanup efforts or public right of way will be marked with geo located barcodes and identified to be cut down.
If you do not wish to participate in the state-managed cleanup process, you can ask to be removed from the program by calling the Wildfire Debris Cleanup line at 503-934-1700.
If you choose to do the cleanup yourself, go to wildfire.oregon.gov for important information on legal requirements and guidelines for safe cleanup.

Q4. Tell me how hazardous trees are being handled by the power companies in wildfire cleanup situations.

Pacific Power service area: Lyons/Mehama, Mill City, Gates, Niagara.

Consumer's Power service area: North side of Hwy. 22 in the Lyons/Mill City area and up the North Fork Road to the community of Elkhorn, as well as all of Detroit, Idanha and Marion Forks.

Power company crews from both CPI and Pacific Power are working to cut down trees that create a hazard to power poles and lines throughout the Santiam Canyon.
Property owners may be contacted by a power company representative to discuss hazard trees on their property.

CPI: Questions? Call 1-800-872-9036 or visit www.cpi.coop/news/cpi-dead-tree-removal-program

Pacific Power: Questions? Call 1-888-221-7070.

CPI crews are in the process of identifying dead or dying trees and cutting them down. Most work at this time is being done on forest service/BLM and private timberland. CPI crews will circle back to work on trees on private property. This will be a several month long process. Pacific Power crews are currently working on both private properties and ODOT right-of-way. Inspectors are notifying private property owners ahead of time.
If CPI identifies trees on private property that need to be taken down, property owners will be notified prior to the work being done and the trees will be marked with either a red slash mark or a green dot.
Pacific Power is identifying trees that need to be taken down with an orange dot prior to having their contractors do the work.
Residents of the impacted areas may experience outages as lines are de-energized in order to safely cut down hazard trees. Whenever possible, these outages will be scheduled in advance and minimized as much as possible.
Both power companies are strategically working with state contractors who are also identifying hazard trees. This includes identifying trees better suited for specialty power line trimmers employed by the power companies.

Q5. Will I incur any costs to cut down hazardous trees from my property?

Trees will not be removed by state contractors from private property; however, incurrence of cost for felling hazardous trees on private property will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Your trees may be covered by Step 2 assistance if the tree(s) are a threat to life, public health or safety. In addition, if trees have been identified by a power company as a threat to power lines or poles, the appropriate power company will assume the cost to cut down those trees and property owners will not be responsible.

If trees on your property are not a threat to the safety of cleanup crews or the public right of way, you will be responsible for the cost to fell and remove them. This also includes trees on undeveloped private property or trees that are away from the destroyed home or business. These trees are not included in the state's Step 2 Ash and Debris Removal process.

Q6. How will I know who will be felling trees on my property?

If trees have been identified as hazard trees on your property, you will be contacted prior to work being done by either the state's tree contractors or the appropriate power company. You may also see markings on trees identifying them as either potentially hazardous or for future work. Each agency or power company has a different marking system. See below for details.

Q7. What do the markings on the trees mean?

Many organizations and agencies have been marking hazard trees to be potentially cut down. Power utilities, state contractors, state arborists and others all use unique tree markings. We know this can be confusing, but the important thing to remember is any marked tree deemed "hazard" will eventually be cut down. Here's what some of the markings mean that you may be seeing:

EPA Markings:

During Step 1, the EPA identified trees as potentially hazardous for their crews doing household hazardous waste cleanup. These markings indicated the following:

X = Hazard tree, potential to be cut down
= = Moderately hazardous
^ (up arrow) = Crew to look up/pay attention

For Step 2, state contractors are applying a sticker with a barcode to each hazard tree. The barcodes help contractors keep track of the trees and ensures the state submits accurate reports to FEMA for Step 2 cleanup reimbursement.

Consumer's Power markings:

Red slash mark = tree identified to be cut down

Green dot = tree identified to be cut down

Pacific Power markings:

Orange dot = tree identified to be cut down

Q8. When will damaged trees on my property be cut down?

The tree work will take several months depending on the trees that have been identified as hazardous and which agency and/or power company is doing the work. The state estimates the Step 2 ash and debris process could take up to 18 months to complete statewide.

Q9. Can I get assistance from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry if I have trees needing to be felled on my private forest lands?

Nonindustrial private forest landowners in Marion County had until the end of the year to submit applications to the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) for grants to address wildfire damage including debris removal such as down or damaged trees.
EFRP provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land to enable the owners to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. Find your nearest Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to apply.
After applications are received, local FSA county committees determine land eligibility using on-site damage inspections that assess the type and extent of damage and approve applications.
In order to meet eligibility requirements, NIPF land must have existing tree cover or had tree cover immediately before the natural disaster occurred and be sustainable for growing trees. The land must also be owned by any nonindustrial private individual, group, association, corporation or other private legal entity that has definitive decision-making authority over the land. The natural disaster must have resulted in damage that if untreated would impair or endanger the natural resources on the land and/or materially affect future use of the land.
For more information visit farmers.gov/recover.

Emergency Aid and Assistance

Additional Resources:

Replacing Lost or Missing Documents

FEMA - Reasons why FEMA may have found you Ineligible (Fact Sheet)

Local Emergency Aid

Santiam Service Integration Team

If you are in need of basic resources such as food, clothing, personal care items, pet supplies, etc. the Santiam SIT can help. The SIT was formed in partnership with Santiam Hospital, school districts, faith groups, non-profits, social service agencies, local clubs, government agencies, businesses, and community members to meet the needs of the community. Contact the SIT at 503-409-3652 or via email at sitmobile@saintiamhospital.org.

Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund

The Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund (SCWRF) was established by the Santiam Service Integration Team (SIT) to help in recovery efforts for those affected by the Beachie Creek Fire.

Funds are designated for assistance needed to rebuild and restore residency in the Santiam Canyon. Requests for immediate needs such as food, clothing and other assistance should be directed to the Santiam SIT.

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley

Requests for basic living needs such as clothing, household items, personal care items, baby items, etc. can be emailed to liveunited@unitedwaymwv.org. Please be as specific as possible with requests

If you have questions, please call 503-363-1651 or visit the United Way website or Facebook page.

Marion Polk Food Share

503-581-3855

Federal Emergency Aid (FEMA)

If you tried to get help from FEMA by applying for disaster assistance and were found to be ineligible, you can still appeal. Often, it's just a matter of supplying extra documentation or information. Find out how to appeal a FEMA decision. Meanwhile, if you have insurance, you should make a list of damaged or lost items and contact your insurance company if you haven't already.

Additional Resources:

Assistance for Paying for Prescriptions

Mental Health Resources

Marion County Psychiatric Crisis Center – Services available 24/7

(503) 585-4949

Lines for Life: Safe + Strong – Services available 24/7

800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP)

Marion County Warm Line – M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(503) 798-5605

Woodburn Mental Health Services – 7 days per week, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

976 N. Pacific Hwy., Woodburn (no appointment necessary)

(503) 981-5851

Youth & Family Crisis Services – 7 days per week, M-F 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and S-S 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

(503) 576-HOPE (4673)

Wildfire Survivors – Tuesday & Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Anthony Hall, Sublimity

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

For people who are on SNAP and have lost their food due to the wildfires, they can have up to $200 of their SNAP benefits reloaded onto their cards. Please, if you are in that situation, please contact the local Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) office and fill out a short form stating the what food that was they lost and the impact from how they were impacted by the fires. You do not need to go to your local ODHS office, you can visit the office most convenient to you. go to the one closest, if you have been evacuated.

Returning to Your Property

Even if the EPA has completed Step 1 Household Hazardous Waste removal on your property, there still may be safety issues so be aware of your surroundings. Hazardous materials as well as structural damage can pose serious threats. Follow basic safety measures when inspecting and cleaning up your home and property.

Use caution and exercise good judgment when re-entering a burned area.
Immediately report electrical damage to authorities.
Be careful around burned trees and power poles.
Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety.
Visually check the stability of the trees and check for stumps that may be smoldering.
Wear personal protection
Take precautions while cleaning your property. You may be exposed to potential health risks from hazardous material, debris, and ash.
Watch for hazardous materials and report to the appropriate agency as noted below.
Be mindful of other potential hazards.

Please use caution when entering your property. There could be unstable soils, especially if septic systems have been damaged or compromised in the wildfires.

Additional Resources and Tips:

Oregon Wildfire Recovery

Wildfire Cleanup and Debris Removal

Marion County Environmental Services - Disposal and Erosion

Hazardous Materials

While it’s recommended to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there may be residents who decide to clean up their properties on their own. Exercise caution if going this route.

Hazardous materials such as household cleaning products, paint, batteries, gasoline, contaminated fuel, and damaged fuel containers need to be safely handled to protect the environment and human health.

Properly dispose of hazardous waste at the Marion County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 3250 Deer Park Drive in Salem. If you have questions about hazardous waste, please contact Marion County Environmental Services at (503) 588-5169 or environmentalservices@co.marion.or.us.

About Us

Courthouse Square

Find a Service

Work

Live

Explore

How Do I...

Apply

Discover County Fees

Find

Get

Pay

Register

Report

Search

View

Departments

Contact the County

Wildfire Recovery

Debris Removal

FEMA Assistance

Wildfire Recovery

Wildfire Recovery

Debris Management Task Force

Access Limited Along North Fork Corridor

Step 2: Debris Removal

Hazard Tree FAQ

Emergency Aid and Assistance

Local Emergency Aid

Returning to Your Property

Hazardous Materials