Projects

Supporting wildfire recovery with Oregon Department of Transportation

Following the unprecedented Labor Day 2020 wildfires spanning the entire western tier of Oregon, the state faced a massive cleanup effort after the largest, most expensive disaster in its history. More than 1m acres burned, and over 5,000 homes and businesses were destroyed.

Key information

Client Oregon Department of Transportation

Location Oregon

Project type Real estate

Services Controls and performance, Digital, Program advisory

Project timeline 2020 - 2023

Fire fighters in yellow suits operating water hoses in rural area

Contact

Chris Davieds

Project Director

Unprecedented project challenges

The immediate objective was to stabilize the situation, organize and begin debris and hazardous tree removal operations, and clear properties and rights of way so rebuilding could start—and Oregonians’ lives could begin returning to normal.

Our team is working with multiple Oregon state agencies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop the Debris Removal Operations Plan (DROP), which serves as the playbook to implement and manage work with contractors.

The DROP is critical to ensuring the program safely clears ash and debris as quickly as possible, while meeting federal, state, and local environmental requirements—and respecting and protecting historical, cultural, and tribal resources in the affected areas. The goal for this $633m program is to leave sites clean so Oregonians can rebuild.

Project story

Rebuilding lives

Through the tragedy, the wildfire debris removal monitoring program has positively impacted thousands of lives across Oregon over the past year and provided hope for residents—especially during the global pandemic.

The program has generated thousands of jobs statewide and delivered an environmentally responsible, community-minded approach to recovery for people, land, and resources. Oregon’s response, in collaboration with many stakeholders, has been respectful of local Indigenous communities, the state’s waters, endangered wildlife, and the environment.

Projects