September 21, 2015

Wildfire Aid Meetings Set for Sept. 28-29 in Eastern Oregon

Federal/State Officials will meet with residents in wildfire-affected communities about available recovery resources

Portland – Eastern Oregon residents who suffered losses from recent wildfires will have the opportunity at meetings Sept. 28-29 in John Day and Baker City to talk with federal and state officials about what resources may be available to help after the devastating wildfires this summer.

“The wildfires that have ripped through our state have left many Oregonians trying to put their lives back together,’’ said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, whose staff is convening the Sept. 28 meeting in Baker City and the Sept. 29 meeting in John Day.

“These meetings will provide one convenient spot where anybody who’s been touched by wildfires can come to get all their questions answered about what’s available to help rebuild their homes and livelihoods,” Wyden said.

“This summer Eastern Oregon was ravaged by wildfires and now too many Oregonians are facing the challenges of putting their lives back together,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley. “Thanks to Senator Wyden for organizing this one-stop shop for those affected by these wildfires to get the answers and help they need.”

“Recovery from this year's wildfires begins with access to the many state and federal resources being made available,” said Governor Kate Brown. “These meetings are a way to help Oregonians adapt to the challenges that adverse conditions presented and prepare for the future.”

The meetings will include officials from the office of Gov. Brown, the state Department of Emergency Management; as well as the insurance divisions of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Housing and Community Services, Department of State Lands and the state Department of Consumer and Business Services. Also attending will be officials from the federal Agriculture Department’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rural Development and Farm Service Agency.

The meeting schedule is:

  • Monday, Sept. 28, 6 pm-8 pm, Baker County Events Center, 2600 East Street, Baker City
  • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6 pm – 8 pm, Grant-Union High School, 911 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day

To read about what Senator Wyden is doing to fix our country’s broken system of wildfire funding, go here.