Wasco County, OR. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced in a press release that the state and Wasco County have finalized an intergovernmental agreement that will fund and support comprehensive debris removal for homes destroyed in the June 2025 Rowena Wildfire. The agreement, announced Wednesday, unlocks $3.5 million in state-administered funding to accelerate recovery efforts for affected families.
The partnership allows Wasco County to oversee debris removal operations with direct state financial backing and technical support from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM). Hazardous debris on private properties has prevented residents from rebuilding since the wildfire burned 3,700 acres across federal, state, private, and tribal lands in the Columbia Gorge.
“This agreement took careful, collaborative work and it was essential to ensure we could support a complete, coordinated debris removal operation without interruption,” Governor Kotek said. “Now, Wasco County has the resources to move forward, and we’re going to see more progress for families who have been waiting to rebuild.”
County leaders emphasized the urgency of clearing damaged properties. “We know the delay in clearing wildfire debris has been incredibly stressful for the families impacted by the Rowena Fire,” said Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege. “This agreement provides the essential resources to clear damaged property efficiently and safely. We are deeply grateful for the dedicated partnership and hard work of Erin McMahon, Jonna Papaefthimiou and Representative Helfrich in securing the necessary state funding for this operation.”
OEM Director Erin McMahon noted that debris cleanup is often the most visible and emotionally challenging part of disaster recovery. “This partnership allows Wasco County to lead local recovery efforts with the state backing them up with resources and expertise,” she said. “Our shared goal is simple: remove hazardous debris safely, protect public health and the environment, and help people get one step closer to rebuilding their homes.”
The Rowena Fire ignited on June 11, destroying or damaging numerous homes in the unincorporated community and leaving behind hazard trees, burned vehicles, RVs, and ruined outbuildings. Wasco County declared a local emergency on June 18, followed by Governor Kotek’s statewide emergency declaration two days later. The fire did not meet the federal threshold for a major disaster declaration, meaning FEMA assistance was unavailable.
The new state–county agreement is expected to speed up cleanup timelines, enabling rebuilding to begin sooner for residents who have been displaced for months.
An FAQ on the agreement and Executive Order 25-08 are available through state emergency management resources.
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