Following Oregon's intense wildfire season last year, President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster for five of its counties. This federal support unlocks funding that spans various forms of aid for Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler counties, all devastated by the 2024 wildfires, as reported by KOIN.
Alongside the declaration, FEMA is set to provide Public Assistance funding, according to KTVZ. This will support the state's recovery by allocating federal funds to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as certain nonprofits. The program will cover costs related to the fires, including emergency response and the repair or replacement of public property damaged or destroyed by the disaster. These efforts remain a testament to the fragility of our infrastructure in the face of nature's power.
The welcomed assistance comes as a sign of relief at the start of the new year, with Senator Ron Wyden expressing a positive take on the move by stating, "This is good news to start 2025 that helps residents and small businesses in Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco and Wheeler counties to recover and rebuild from the wildfires that struck their communities in the summer of 2024," a sentiment noted by KATU.
