Below is a list of FIRE Disaster Relief updates and information for the Southern Oregon building community. We will be updating as we get information. Please check back often.
Just click on each grey rectangle and it will drop down with additional information.
You may find the information helpful as we navigate the disaster relief and rebuilding of our community. Be assured that our organization will continue to monitor information to get to you as quickly as possible.
Give us a call if you have any specific questions or concerns 541.773.2872
FEMA Resources
For additional information on the wildfire disaster, please visit:
As our communities begin the recovery after the devastating effects of the wildfires, local homebuilders are warning residents to be aware of scammers that may pose as legitimate contractors.
The following is a list of things to remember when hiring a professional contractor. Always do your homework and proceed with care.
Ask for proof of:
Oregon CCB License (this should be a number on their card/estimate/vehicle)
Liability Insurance and Worker’s Comp Insurance
Business license for your city
References (Don’t forget to actually check these!)
Be Informed:
Get more than one bid IN WRITING
Don’t automatically accept the lowest bid, it may not be the best
Read through bids and ensure they are comparable in materials and scope of work including pricing when payments are due
Be wary of a contractor who asks for full payment before the project begins
Research:
Check their record with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board (oregon.gov/CCB)
Check the company’s Better Business Bureau Record for any history of dissatisfied complaints
Verify that the business address is in the area and not out of state (CA/WA/ID contractors are not automatically licensed to work in Oregon and vice versa)
Be understanding:
Contractors schedule work out in advance. They are not likely to be able to ‘start tomorrow’ on your project.
The HBA refers only local professional men and women that live and work in our communities every day. They will be here long after this disaster is over – an out of town contractor will be long gone if the roof leaks next spring.
September 17th, 2020 Greg Walden Calls on Oregon State Government to Do More Interview with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) spoke with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business’s Cavuto: Coast to Coast yesterday, where he discussed the catastrophic wildfires in Oregon.
When asked about the air quality in Oregon as a result of the fires, Walden emphasized that despite the vast size of his district it is almost entirely covered in smoke.
“To put it in perspective, my district alone would stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to Ohio. I drove 1356 miles over the weekend from one end of it to get down to where this fire was and virtually the entire time, we were in hazardous air quality, you couldn’t see more than 30-50 feet in the road,” said Walden.
Walden said that his focus right now is on “helping those who have lost everything.”
During the interview, Walden also discussed his recent meeting with President Trump and the President’s swift approval of Oregon’s Major Disaster Declaration.
“I met with the President on Monday in Sacramento, he turned that major disaster relief request within 24 hours, FEMA has been in there doing a great job in partnership with the state,” said Walden.
Walden concluded the interview, urging the need for more action from the state, who is responsible for distributing the aid provided by the Federal Emergency Management Office (FEMA).
“I would like to see the state of Oregon actually do a little more in southern Oregon, have the governor come down there and take a look and bring her team with her. They control the distribution of all these things the federal government has made available through the FEMA and Trump administration. We need help with housing on the ground, they’ve got the support, they’ve got the authority, they’ve got the money, we just need to step up the contact and communication,” said Walden.
Letter from Congressman Greg Walden’s Office Wednesday, September 16th, 10:29am
Good Morning,
In participating on a phone call with FEMA and Congressman Walden this morning, it was explained that now the Major Disaster Declaration is in effect for the state of Oregon, it’s critical that all persons impacted by the wildfires should sign up for assistance through FEMA as soon as possible.
FEMA also stated that they are in the midst of a mass transmission of this information via the media. This includes radio, social media, television…etc.
Congressman Walden’s office has created the attached document (2020 September Wildfires Major Disaster Handout) that can be used as a handout to those individuals impacted.
Additionally, please find attached to this email a fact sheet (Fact Sheet – Individual Assistance) on what Individual Assistance can provide for impact individuals.
