Daily Digest, Wednesday, September 16, 2020
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ACTIVELY CLEARING ROADS
SALEM – Even with wildfires still burning, ODOT crews around the state have begun assessing damage on hundreds of miles of road, removing thousands of trees damaged by fire, and inspecting culverts, bridges, guardrail and pavement.
The work will continue location by location as conditions allow, but it will be some time before roads reopen – partially or fully – to traffic. Even when roads do reopen, ODOT crews will continue monitoring for hazards including landslides or loose rock in areas where wildfires have scarred the landscape.
New webpage shows recovery progress
A new webpage will track this progress showing information on what we’ve done and still need to do to reopen closed roads. The webpage also provides information on road and office closures, links to news releases, photos, videos and more.
“This is such a dynamic and constantly changing situation, we have to make sure these roads are cleared,” said Luci Moore, ODOT State Maintenance and Operations Engineer. “There are many concerns that we will address. It is likely to be some time before these roads open to full or even partial travel. Each will be determined individually based on the damages.”
Recovery work underway
ODOT has started removing hazard trees on OR 138 E, OR 126 McKenzie Highway and Oregon 22 North Santiam Highway. While ODOT is still assessing how many trees it will need to remove, estimates put the number of hazard trees along the OR 22 corridor alone in the hundreds of thousands.
Roads will remain closed until ODOT can remove debris from affected areas, inspect slopes for weakness, inspect bridges, pavement, culverts, signs, guardrail and other structures for damage, and make repairs. Rock scaling -- to bring down materials that threaten roads -- will be used where needed.
Even after roads are fully reopened, heavy rain will be a concern in fire-stricken areas and ODOT may have further work to do to stabilize hillsides or clear debris from falls. Slides and debris flows are a particular concern -- especially after rains -- in areas where fire stripped away vegetation, tree roots and underbrush, creating greater slide danger.
Know before you go
Partial openings that allow limited traffic while work continues will be common. Drivers can expect to see flaggers or pilot cars and should plan for frequent lane closures.
Drivers should check www.TripCheck.com for updates on closures.
For pictures of road damage around the state: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oregondot/albums/72157715891016418
For videos explaining the recovery challenges faced by ODOT crews:
https://www.youtube.com/user/OregonDOT
CALL CENTER FOR LANE COUNTY RESIDENTS TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETINGS TONIGHT FOR FIRES NEAR CENTRAL OREGON
Holiday Farm Fire
The Lane County Office of Emergency Management Call Center is available to assist homeowners and residents with damage assessment information. The Lane County Call Center can be reached at: 541-682-3977.
Virtual public meeting on the Holiday Farm Fire at 7 p.m. on https://www.facebook.com/HolidayFarmFire/. People do not need to have a Facebook account to participate.
Riverside Fire
Riverside Fire virtual community meeting at 6 p.m. tonight on Fb.com/RiversideFireInfo. People do not need to have a Facebook account to participate.
FEES WAIVED FOR REPLACING SOME VITAL RECORDS LOST TO WILDFIRES
Many Oregon families may have lost all vital documents due to the deadly wildfires burning across the state.
The Center for Health Statistics has issued temporary rules to waive fees for people who have experienced loss of property or life associated with the wildfires. This temporary rule provides up to three certified copies of Oregon vital records free of charge if requested in connection with the Governor’s Executive Order 20-35. This new rule will remain in effect until March 1, 2021.
The State Vital Records office will provide up to three certified copies of a birth, death, marriage, divorce, domestic partnership or dissolution of domestic partnership free of charge if the record is requested in connection with Executive Order 20-35 related to wildfire response. The Executive Order only applies to fires that occurred in Oregon.
County Vital Records offices will provide up to three certified copies of death or birth records free of charge if the record is requested in connection with Executive Order 20-35 related to wildfire response.
See answers to frequently asked questions and learn how to order copies and apply for the waiver on the State Vital Records website.
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ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com, provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both, locally and nationally, is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information.
Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN) includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate information.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541.316.0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.
