September 30, 2020 3:20 a.m.

On Tuesday Governor Kate Brown announced that she is convening a Wildfire Economic Recovery Council to evaluate the economic and community needs of Oregonians statewide as a result of this year’s wildfire season.

A release said the council will be chaired by Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle and State Treasurer Tobias Read. It will work to help counties implement economic recovery solutions, bringing together federal, state, and local resources to support communities impacted by wildfires.

Brown said, “So many Oregonians lost everything in these fires. With over a million acres burned and thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, the impacts of this wildfire season will be felt on jobs and local economies long after it ends”. She said while her Disaster Cabinet continues to focus on the immediate wildfire response and relief efforts, this new group will prioritize economic recovery for impacted communities.

Hoyle said she had to evacuate due to the Holiday Farm Fire, but “…was one of the lucky ones who got to come home”.

Read said the destruction from this wildfire season is shocking. He said the council, “…will give us the opportunity to work with communities to decide what rebuilding looks like and how we can make them more resilient and prosperous”.

The release said the council will convene next week and will complete its initial work by the end of the year. A full council membership will be available after the council’s first meeting.