We are all deeply saddened by the damaging wildfires in central Washington and Oregon. Residents of Pateros, WA have lost more than 150 homes to the fires. Now they are dealing with flash floods as well.
This Northwest community needs our help. Please consider contributing to this relief fund set up by the Community Foundation of North Central Washington.
Those who live and work near Pateros have been hardest hit by this devastation. And these fires, among the largest ever in our region, will hurt the local economy and affect the tens of thousands who enjoy visiting these beautiful areas throughout the year. Hundreds of thousands of acres of forest, rangeland, watershed and wildlife habitat have been blackened by the fires in Oregon and Washington this month alone.
The Community Foundation of North Central Washington established a Fire Relief Fund to support families and individuals in this region. They're working with other funders and nonprofit partners to coordinate an effort that best helps the victims of the fires. The NCW Fire Relief Fund's focus will be helping families and individuals with long-term recovery efforts that will help them rebuild their lives and get them back on their feet.
Persistent drought conditions have made wildfires a year-round threat in much of California and the Southwest as well. Unfortunately, we can expect that such threats will only grow in the years to come. As President Obama commented yesterday while signing an emergency declaration, "a lot of [increased risk] has to do with changing precipitation patterns, and a lot of that has to do with climate change."
Climate Solutions is working every day with many others for solutions to the climate crisis. But most immediately, our focus belongs on helping our Northwest neighbors restore their homes and community. Please click here to contribute to wildfire relief in the Pateros area.
