October 7, 2020 7:00 p.m.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners have announced that County Public Health Officer Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer has declared a health emergency following the recent wildfires.

In the official declaration, Dannenhoffer said the emergency exists due to the hazardous waste and materials created by the Archie Creek Fire, and may be exacerbated by the ongoing fires and upcoming rainy season and will continue until the conclusion of this local health emergency.

Dannenhoffer ordered that immediate action be taken to remove the hazardous waste from property sites within the Archie Creek Fire area that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive and create an imminent threat to public health and safety.

Following that declaration, the Board of Commissioners established a Wildfire Household Hazardous Waste Removal webpage for residents affected by the recent fires. Residents can log onto the page to sign up for assistance with the removal of their wildfire household hazardous waste, at no cost to them. The page includes a link to a form that must be completed in order to participate in the free program. The page can be accessed by going to this link: https://www.co.douglas.or.us/recovery/recovery.asp

A release said residents must act by Thursday, October 15th.

Residents need to fill out the Right-of-Entry Permit Form: https://www.tfaforms.com/4857001. That grants state contractors the right to access private property. The link will take those using it to a webpage that is being managed by a consultant for the State of Oregon that is overseeing the household hazardous waste removal. Forms can also be picked up at the Douglas County Public Works Department which is located at the courthouse. Work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.  Forms are also available at the Glide Wildfire Donation Center at the old Glide Middle School on Glide Loop Road.

Completed ROE forms can be returned to: dcrecovery@co.douglas.or.us, or dropped off at the Public Works Department. Forms mailed in should be postmarked no later than this Friday.

Douglas County Transfer Stations and the Landfill are not able to accept any hazardous waste materials or fire debris unless it comes from a property that has been certified clean.

Call 440-6011 for more information.