The rebuilding effort continues in Lincoln County one year after the Echo Mountain Complex Fire devastated the town of Otis.
Like many of last year’s wildfires, the Echo Mountain fire exploded overnight on Labor Day. Thousands of people fled the flames with more than half of Lincoln City under mandatory evacuation.
At 2,500 acres, the fire was relatively small compared to other blazes in Oregon. But it destroyed hundreds of homes just north of Lincoln City in the town of Otis.
Lincoln County public information officer Casey Miller said one year later, the town is in the midst of what will likely be a years-long effort to rebuild.
“The community and their ability to pull together in Otis is pretty incredible," he said. We’ve got a ways to go, but it’s starting to look pretty good.”
Miller said beyond the physical recovery, there’s an ongoing need for mental health services for survivors of the fire.
"I think individuals still need to be able to talk, to tell their stories," he said.
