Editorial: 2020 Oregon wildfires continue to burn away at lives

Published 5:45 am Thursday, February 3, 2022

: Wildfire damage in Gates off state Highway 22 in Marion County on Sept. 21, 2020. Wildfires ripped through the small town of less than 500 people, destroying many homes and businesses.

The devastating Oregon wildfires that destroyed so many homes in 2020 are continuing to burn at the lives of residents.

Just in the Santiam Canyon area including Detroit, Gates and Mill City, some 700 families lost their homes. Only a fraction of them have been able to get permanent new housing. Construction costs to rebuild jumped by 25%. Many insurance policies didn’t cover wells or septic systems. Detroit didn’t have drinking water until seven months after the fire. Residents complain of breathing problems.

It’s documented in a report from Oregon State University. The report reveals enormous gaps between the need of the people who were affected by the fire and the aid they received.

The report is loaded with recommendations. Is anyone in state government going to take action? Hello, Gov. Kate Brown! What can you do?

Learn more and access the report here: tinyurl.com/rebuildsantiam.