Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Kansas’ U.S. Senator Roger Marshall introduced the brand-new Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act. The bipartisan bill provides a straightforward solution for communities in Oregon and across the nation to access federal aid for hazardous material cleanup following a wildfire.
“Fighting wildfires requires strong, commonsense policies to support both prevention and recovery efforts,” dijo Merkley. “Our bipartisan bill comes after Oregonians were left with nothing to help clean up hazardous materials following a devastating wildfire. We can and should fix this to ensure all communities can safely clean up following a fire by unlocking federal assistance for state and local governments to clean up hazardous substances and materials that are too often left behind.”
“When a fast-moving wildfire tore through Yates Center and destroyed its nursing home, community members and first responders heroically evacuated every resident to safety. But the danger didn’t end when the flames were extinguished. Wildfires leave behind hazardous debris, contaminated sites, and serious long-term health risks that small communities are often not equipped to manage on their own,” said Marshall. “I am proud to partner with Senator Merkley to ensure local governments have the tools and support they need to respond to wildfires, safely clean up hazardous debris, and protect the health and safety of their communities.”
In June 2025, the Rowena Fire in Wasco County Oregon tore up the Historic Columbia River Highway and destroyed 56 homes. The fire was granted approval for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG), but the damage did not meet the threshold for a Major Disaster declaration – which would have unlocked federal aid for the cleanup of hazardous material debris – including toxic exposure from asbestos and heavy metals from burned structures, and contaminated wells and septic systems.
Learning from this disaster, Merkley wrote the Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act based on outreach from impacted communities who are struggling to navigate the cleanup of hazardous material debris following the fire. His bipartisan bill would enable the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to offer relevant expertise and technical assistance to state and local governments, helping mitigate long-term risks to human health and the environment.
el bipartidista Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act is supported by the following organizations and individuals: Wasco County Emergency Manager Sheridan McClellan, Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Oregon Environmental Council (OEC), Union County Emergency Manager Nick Vora, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Western Fire Chiefs Association, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Hood River County Board of Commissioners, Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz, Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch, Redmond City Councilor John Nielsen, Ashland Fire & Rescue, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Jackson County Community Long-Term Recovery Group, Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, FireGeneration Collaborative, Harney County Emergency Manager, Grant County Emergency Manager, and Umatilla County Board of Commissioners.
“Delaying or not performing hazardous debris cleanup after a wildfire could cause irreversible environmental damage and escalating health crises. This bill delivers the urgent resources we need to protect our land, water, food, cultural heritage, and the healthy future our children deserve,” said Wasco County Emergency Manager Sheridan McClellan.
“Timely removal of hazardous wildfire debris is essential for any community’s recovery,” said Erin McMahon, Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). “Across the country, families are unable to begin rebuilding because toxic debris remains long after the flames are out. This legislation strengthens federal support so survivors can return home sooner and recover more safely.”
“The Rowena and Burdoin fires destroyed over seventy residences in the Gorge this summer. With no current federal aid to deal with the toxic aftermath, the Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act fills a critical gap in disaster recovery to help Gorge families rebuild their lives,” said Friends of Columbia Gorge Executive Director Kevin Gorman.
“When wildfire hits a community, we know that money can’t replace all that’s lost. But without the necessary funds, communities are left trying to manage a separate disaster in the aftermath of a wildfire,” said Jana Gastellum, Executive Director of the Oregon Environmental Council. “Cleaning up toxic materials is vitally important in helping wildfire-impacted communities prevent further harm to the health and safety of their residents as they focus on recovering. Simply put: this funding will save lives.”
“Fire is a natural force we have to live with and prepare for, but sometimes even the best preparation cannot stop destruction from extreme fire events,” said Nick Vora, Union County Emergency Manager. “When the smoke clears, communities are often left with substantial debris – including hazardous materials – that need to be cleaned-up as a first step in recovery. For uninsured or underinsured properties, the financial consequence can be abandonment and even tax foreclosure not to mention homelessness for the residents. Legislation to facilitate federal assistance to local communities with post-fire clean-up will be a large step to help communities across the United States be resilient to destructive fires.”
Merkley has been a long-time leader in the fight to prepare for and mitigate the worst impacts of wildfires. He leads a series of bipartisan bills to support mills processing hazardous fuels coming off public lands, train the new generation of wildland firefighters, y promote collaborative forest management.
Un resumen de una página de la Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act can be found by clicking aquí.
Texto completo de la Post-Wildfire Environmental Assistance Act can be found by clicking aquí.
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