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Phoenix, Oregon city manager shares insights on rebuilding after a wildfire

By Tess Novotny,
Erin O'Toole
Published January 24, 2022 at 3:24 PM MST
In this photo taken by a drone, homes leveled by the Almeda Fire line the Bear Lake Estates in Phoenix, Oregon, on Sept. 15, 2020.
Noah Berger
/
AP
In this photo taken by a drone, homes leveled by the Almeda Fire line the Bear Lake Estates in Phoenix, Oregon, on Sept. 15, 2020.

In September 2020, the Almeda fire destroyed nearly 2,600 homes in southern Oregon and killed three people. Like Colorado’s Marshall Fire, it was the most destructive in state history, driven by unusually fast winds through the towns of Phoenix and Talent.

We speak with Phoenix, Oregon city manager Eric Swanson to hear how his city’s fire experience could inform recovery efforts in Louisville and Superior.

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KUNC's Colorado Edition Wildfires
Tess Novotny
As a producer for Colorado Edition, I pitch segment ideas, pre-interview guests, craft scripts and cut audio. I also write tweets, build web posts and occasionally host.
See stories by Tess Novotny
Erin O'Toole
As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.
See stories by Erin O'Toole