Intensifying drought and storms, increasing temperatures, and the unprecedented Oregon wildfires last fall accentuate the importance of cultivating disaster resiliency and emergency preparedness in our communities. This webpage includes resources for residents of the Mid-Willamette Valley, including survivors of the 2020 Labor Day fires, to understand natural disaster risks and prepare for future disasters.
Mid-Willamette Valley Hazard Mitigation and Energy Efficiency Resources
Click on links and buttons within the interactive documents below to navigate to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and natural hazards mitigation resources that fit your situation.
Following an unusually dry and hot summer, an extreme wind event on September 7th, 2020, caused existing wildfires in the Opal Creek Wilderness and Warm Springs Reservation to rapidly spread out of control through the North Santiam Canyon. The fires killed five people and destroyed over 1,500 structures, most severely impacting the cities of Detroit and Gates. For more background about the 2020 Labor Day fires in the Santiam Canyon and elsewhere, see Oregon State University’s After the Fire Storymap.
For information on Marion County’s efforts to assist residents recovering from the 2020 wildfires, click here.
Following the 2020 Labor Day fires, the Oregon chapter of the American Planning Association (OAPA) reached out to the MWVCOG and Marion County with an offer to support recovery and rebuilding in the Santiam Canyon through OAPA’s Community Assistance Planning Program (CAPP). The volunteer OAPA CAPP team for the Santiam Canyon completed groundwork research to assist longer-term community decisions, project identification, and a resilient recovery. Click here for more background information on the Santiam Canyon Recovery Study (PDF). Download summary documents produced by the OAPA CAPP team under "Supporting Documents" on this page.
Oregon Department of Energy: Energy Efficient Wildfire Rebuilding Incentives —The Oregon Department of Energy has $10 million available to support Oregonians who lost their homes or businesses during the 2020 wildfires. As Oregonians rebuild, the agency will provide financial support to improve energy efficiency to make rebuilt homes and businesses more comfortable and provide long-term energy savings. Incentive amounts range from $3,000 up to $18,000, depending on the building type and the level of efficiency in rebuilding. Higher rebates are available for low- or moderate-income fire survivors. Those who have already started or finished rebuilding their homes can receive retroactive incentive money.
Oregon Building Codes Division: Fire Hardening Grant Program — Local counties and the Department of Consumer and Business Services have created a fire hardening grant program to help people affected by the 2020 wildfires. The program will provide money directly to home and business owners who complete qualifying fire hardening improvements on their home or business that was damaged or destroyed. Apply through Marion County.
Santiam Canyon Resident Resource Toolkit (PDF) — Simple brochure listing financial and informational resources for emergency preparedness, home weatherization, defensible space, and more.
Wildfire Resources and Preparedness Wellness Toolkit (PDF) — Information for personal wildfire preparedness and recovery resources from the Oregon Wildfire Outreach Program