Sisters Country is still in the throes of the Akawa Butte Fire. But as we saw last year during the Flat Fire, immense goodwill and support are once again emerging from within our community and far beyond.
We’ve heard from many folks eager to assist those impacted by the fire and show gratitude to those who are coming to our community’s aid. Thank you for your generosity!
Below are a variety of ways you can help victims, responders, nonprofits, businesses, and the broader community recover from the Akawa Butte Fire. We’ve also provided some links for those seeking support and recovery/re-entry guidance. We will update this page as we learn more.
For those impacted by the fire
Share your needs with Deschutes County Sheriff’s Emergency Management team so that they and partnering community groups can attempt to connect you with services and support;
Check out the “Recovery” tab at deschutes.org/emergency for guidance on how to get support, safely return home, and more. Even more recovery resources are available from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
Support fire victims
Donate to regional nonprofit NeighborImpact’s Wildfire Relief Fund. Contributions are tax-deductible, and will go toward financial and resource aid for fire victims, including those who lost homes or otherwise need help getting back on their feet. On their donate page, select “Wildfire Relief Fund” from the dropdown menu, and write “Akawa Butte Fire” in the comments section.
Support emergency responders
If you see emergency responders around town, treat them with respect and show your appreciation. Better yet, pay for their meal!
Post signs outside your home or business expressing gratitude to those who protected our community. Please don’t post on public or private property without permission.
Donate to our local and regional fire associations. They were some of the first responders to the Akawa Butte Fire, and provide an array of programs to help the community better prepare for and respond to fires.
Sisters-Camp Sherman Volunteer Firefighters Association | Or mail a check to: PO Box 1509, Sisters, OR 97759.
Cloverdale Volunteer Firefighters Association | Or mail a check to: 67433 Cloverdale Rd. Sisters, OR 97759.
Black Butte RFPD Volunteers | Mail a check to: 13511 Hawks Beard, Sisters, OR 97759.
Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy | Or mail a check to: PO Box 1898, Redmond, OR 97756.
Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association, which provides support and representation for Oregon's Volunteer Emergency Responders.
Oregon Chapter of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which supports firefighters and their families through financial aid, physical and emotional support, advocacy, and community.
Continue to make your property more resilient to wildfire by investing in home hardening and creating defensible space. Learn more about what you can do at wildfireprepared.org, request a wildfire home assessment from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, and access more toolkits and resources at citizens4community.com/fire.
Support local and regional nonprofits
Many nonprofits are engaged in relief efforts or developing resources to assist victims. Your support – whether through donations or volunteering – helps them continue their important community work. ***Those with asterisks next to their name have current volunteer needs.
***Red Cross of Central and Eastern Oregon, which has been hosting a shelter at Sisters High School for dozens of evacuees and providing immediate support for fire victims.
3 Sisters Equine | Assisting with pet evacuation, care, and broader support.
Citizens4Community | Helping to coordinate local nonprofit relief and recovery work, and connecting those in need with regional resources and information.
Companion Animal Medical Project | Assisting with pet evacuations, providing dog crates for the Red Cross Shelter, and offering boarding space for families that could not take pets with them when evacuating.
CORE | With assistance from Deschutes County Behavorial Health, CORE has provided evacuees and at-risk community members with masks, hydration supplements, canisters of water, sleeping pads, ice, clothing, cooling towels, MRE’s, food, and more.
Family Access Network (FAN) | Provides basic needs for at-risk youth and their families, and has seen an uptick in need from families who evacuated.
***Furry Friends Foundation | Assisting with pet evacuation, managing a local pet food bank, and broader support for pets of impacted families.
Harmony Farm Sanctuary | Assisting with pet evacuation, care, and broader support.
Mustangs to the Rescue | Providing large animal evacuation support and care.
NeighborImpact | Providing support services and financial aid for fire victims through their Wildfire Relief Fund, and broader relief services for at-risk community members.
OSU Extension | Coordinating hay, grain and monetary donations for impacted farmers and ranchers. People with available hay/grain to donate, please contact your local Extension office.
***Pet Evacuation Team | Assisting with pet evacuation, care, and broader support.
Sisters Food Bank (Kiwanis) | May prove to be a critical food source for longer-term evacuees, and offers healthy food for all community members in need.
Sisters Park & Recreation District | Hosting firefighters for day-sleeping in the Community Center.
Sisters School District | Hosting the Red Cross shelter/evacuees and community meetings at Sisters High School, and contributing staff time and utility expenses to keep the building functional for these critical emergency needs.
***Watch Duty | The nonprofit, volunteer-run app that many community members rely on to inform them of fire updates and firefighting efforts in real-time.
Support local businesses
Tourism often drastically decreases after a local disaster, during a season many businesses rely on to stay afloat through the winter months. Once it is safe for you to do so, you can support our local economy by:
“Shopping like a tourist.” Make an extra effort to patronize local businesses in the coming days. Prioritize shopping local before online, booking services in town, and dining out when you can.
Buying gift cards. Even if you don’t need something today, gift cards put cash in the register now.
Tipping generously. Extra tips help offset reduced hours and unexpected expenses.
Once they re-open, be sure to attend local events. Events like Sisters Farmers Market, Sisters Arts Association’s Fourth Fridays, and live music all drive energy downtown.
Offering rides, sharing resources, or lending a hand so impacted employees can still get to work.
The Akawa Butte Fire is once again putting Sisters Country on edge. But when the going gets tough, we know that Sisters is at its best – rolling up our sleeves, linking arms, and getting to work in support of our neighbors and all those coming to our aid. Thank you all in advance for your efforts to help our community in its time of need.
Kellen Klein is the Executive Director of Citizens4Community, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to foster a more connected Sisters Country through civility, collaboration and civic engagement. Learn more at Citizens4Community.com.
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