July 6, 2021 3:00 a.m.

On Friday, Governor Kate Brown made a statement following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s announcement regarding additional federal funds coming to Oregon for projects related to last year’s historic wildfire season.

A release said President Joe Biden has authorized an increase, from 75 percent to 100 percent in what the federal government will pay for public assistance projects.

Brown said, “I am incredibly pleased that Oregon will be receiving additional federal funding to support our efforts to help our communities recover from last year’s devastating wildfires”. Brown said those resources will provide financial relief for critical recovery services like debris removal and individual public assistance.

The release said federal funding for 2020 fires was originally available for public assistance, hazard mitigation, and other needs at 75 percent of the total eligible costs. Under the President’s order, the federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for a continuous period of 30 days established by the state.

The release said the Oregon Office of Emergency Management will work closely with partner state agencies and local governments to determine the optimal 30-day period in which the most FEMA-eligible costs were incurred to ensure federal funding is maximized. Once that date is determined, all previously reimbursed FEMA costs for that period will be reimbursed for the full 100 percent total cost.