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  • Jan
    13
    2021

    Oregon wildfire recovery debris removal begin with hazard trees

    Posted by: Fire Information - English

    ​Crews around the state are beginning to clear roads and private properties of trees damaged in September’s wildfires. The tree clearing is part of the Oregon Wildfire Recovery Debris Management Task Force’s effort to provide cleanup for homes and businesses in the eight affected counties – Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion. The work paves the way for rebuilding efforts, community recovery and helps revitalize Oregon’s economy.

    Before crews begin clearing hazard trees from private property, they will clear remaining logs and debris from roadsides. Drivers in fire-affected areas should keep an eye out for crews and be prepared to stop.

    State contractors are marking trees for removal with blue dot and a barcode tracking tag. Many other entities, including utilities and private companies, continue with their own tree removal operations and have their own markings.

    On private property, dead or dying trees will be removed if they pose a threat to the safety of cleanup crew or public right of ways. Ash and structural debris removal will soon follow, including concrete and other household and construction materials, from private homes and businesses. A list of what is included in cleanup is available.

    Home and business owners must sign an All Wildfire Debris Right of Entry Form with their county to allow cleanup crews onto their property. Visit https://wildfire.oregon.gov/ or call 503-934-1700 to submit your form and for more information. Even those who did not join in Step 1 of the cleanup may still opt into the program.

    Participating property owners also need to complete a questionnaire about their property, to help with planning and ensure an efficient, safe removal of debris.

    The contractors
    As the task force’s contract manager, the Oregon Department of Transportation is awarding three types of contracts for Step 2: hazard tree removal, debris and ash removal, and monitoring.

    Given the large geographic area and volume of work, ODOT elected to award the hazard tree, and ash and debris removal contracts over multiple operational areas and not as a single statewide contract.

    Monitoring (1 contract)

    CDR Maguire Emergency Management

    • Based in Florida

    • Contract: $75.5 million

    • Awarded Nov. 19, 2020

    Hazard Tree Removal (3 contracts)

    Ceres Environmental Disaster Recovery

    • Based in Florida

    • Contracts awarded Nov. 25, 2020 Archie Creek Fire, OR 138, $25.78 million Thielson Fire, OR 138, $2.07 million Two Four Two Fire, U.S. 97, $1.91 million

    ECC

    • Based in California

    • Contracts awarded: Nov. 30, 2020 Beachie Creek / Lionshead Fire, OR 22, $17.18 million Riverside Fire, OR 224, $71.63 million

    Suulutaaq Inc.

    • Based in Alaska, with an operations office in Eugene

    • Contract awarded Nov. 30, 2020 Holiday Farm Fire, OR 126, $22.94 million

    Ash and debris removal contracts have been awarded and that work also begins later this month. 

    Oregon wildfire recovery debris removal begin with hazard trees
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