Officials provide guidance on road to recovery for wildfire evacuees

There are multiple levels of building assessments taking place, due to so many different factors to consider.

There's no doubt that the rebuilding process from the devastating wildfires in the west*will take a long time.

And as many in oregon wait on pins and needles, wondering about the status of their homes, officials warn of the dangers that come from rushing back too quickly.

Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke to leaders in lane county to find out what*you need to know and how those in our area are stepping up to help businesses hit hard by the wildfires.

Steve: "when people go back to the site they need to really be prepared for it."

Steve mcguire is the building official for lane county.

He says that people are longing to know*when they can return to their homes...they just want a sense of closure.

Steve: "that realization, that understanding of what you have right now, where you're lost and being able to move forward."

But he says there are a few*very important things you need to think about.

"they need to wear clothes that they are going to get ash on.

They need protective boots, hard soled shoes, work gloves, masks and some eye protection."

Bridge: mcguire says that the outpouring of support from the community will continue to play a major role in the rebuilding process.

And i spoke to the president of one local construction and design firm, who shares why her group is eager to step up and help oregon businesses who have been hit hard by the wildfires.

Ausland group has provided engineering and construction services across oregon since 1947.

Phoner: kelsy: "we are offering pro bono services such as structurally inspecting the foundations of burnt buildings, fast tracking permits and helping people see how multi family residential developments can be turn key cost effectively to meet this new demand."

She says that in southern oregon alone--more than 2,500 homes were destroyed by fire.

Kelsy: "to see buildings that were along the i-5 corridor destroyed is really unimaginable for a lot of us."

Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy