Prepare for Wildfires and Help Those in Need

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Wildfires continue to ravage the West Coast, having displaced thousands and creating abysmal air quality. What is next for 2020? While it’s not the best time to Venture Out into the wilderness, there are things you can do to help those in need, prepare yourself for the worst and support local businesses. We have assembled the following resources from various partners including Portland Monthly, to help you get through these unprecedented times.

DONATE

• American Red Cross has opened shelters for those fleeing fires at a handful of locations including Thurston High School in Springfield, the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem, the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino in Chiloquin, and Clackamas Community College in Oregon City.
• Northwest Response Fund is a KGW backed fund which earmarks your gift to help with the response to and recovery from wildfires around the Pacific Northwest.
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation provides immediate financial and crisis assistance to families of fallen and injured wildland firefighters.

STAY INFORMED

• Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard provides real time information on fires burning across the state, air quality and evacuation order status.
• Oregon Office of Emergency Management’s Twitter account aggregates information from different fire agencies around the state.
• Download the Red Cross’s “Safe and Well” app. It allows you to check in after a disaster and mark yourself as OK. Through the app, you can also sign up to donate blood.  

GET PREPARED

• Have an emergency supply kit ready to go. Most items can be purchased at a local hardware store like Beaumont Do It Best, St. Johns Ace and Hankins True Value on Hawthorne or outdoor stores like Next Adventure in Central Eastside, US Outdoor or Foster Outdoor.
• Make sure your have adequate food and a carrier for your pets. Try Fang Pet and Garden Supply in Kenton, Pets on Broadway, and Healthy Pets Northwest in Multnomah Village and Woodstock.
• Make sure your car is running and reliable. Good options include Green Drop Garage in Northwest District, Art of Maintenance in Soul District and All Around Automotive in Division/Clinton.

2020 has been a challenge but Oregonians are creative, tough and resilient. We can weather the storm if we work together. Stay safe out there everyone!