Warm Springs Fires

By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times

With wildfires consuming large portions of the land of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, residents and organizations are scrambling to house, feed, and provide clean water to those directly affected. As smoke and wind linger throughout their neighborhoods, community leaders have reached out to neighbors, looking for donations and supplies. In true Mt. Hood Villages fashion, residents and local businesses heeded the call and began to collect essentials needed for their community.

According to The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, items such as hygiene products, pet food and supplies, nonperishable food items, blankets, fans, and, perhaps the most important item, clean drinking water, are all needed. A contentious issue since the first initial pipe burst in 2017, residents of Warm Springs are no strangers to boil notices and water shortages, and are seeing this recurring problem plague their community yet again with the outbreak of wildfires this year. 

With a clear understanding of the immediate needs of the Warm Springs community, Government Camp resident and founder of the nonprofit organization, Roaring River Water, Ryan Barnes, has been a pivotal part of the aid to Warm Springs. Barnes explains that his passion for their community began in 2020 with a small group of friends running over supplies every few months. “We began Mt. Hood Mutual Aid with a small group in Sandy,” he said, adding “We would sit at the Safeway parking lot and collect supplies for Warm Springs, then run over every two or three months. I think it just happened to fall into our laps, and from there I just decided this is one thing I can do to help out, and I just kept doing it even after our little organization ended.” 

As the large fires continue to burn (The Round Butte Fire, Akawa Butte Fire, and The Bench Fire) an estimated 95,600 acres (at the time of this article) have succumbed to flames. Included in the devastation are homes and buildings, some of which have been a part of The Warm Springs community for generations. Evacuation orders began early on in the fire season, causing many to flee immediately. Many ranchers and farmers were forced to let their animals go; some now claim animals have returned to their homestead, another testament to the power of nature. 

While crews work around the clock to continue to secure fire lines and prevent more structural damage, some residents have been able to return to their homes. Many remain on a boil notice for water due to the immense shortage. With the notion that neighbors are still suffering from the absence of a basic need, Mt. Hood Villages’ businesses such as Koya Kitchen, Coffee House 26, and The Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum began their own drives in order to help. Coffee House 26 merchandise manager, Danella Demary, explains that “collecting basic necessities for neighbors is what being a community is all about.” Demary, along with customers of Coffee House 26, were able to collect water, canned goods, first aid supplies, hygiene products, pet supplies, and fans. “Sometimes we take for granted the basic necessities – so when you hear about communities in need you feel compelled to do what you can,” she said.

Although The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have paused their need for donations, water is still an urgent need. Roaring River Water’s consistent help will continue long after the fires have diminished. “I operate by ordering bulk water from the Safeway in Madras; that way, the Warm Springs Emergency Team can pick it up directly,” Barnes said, adding “Warm Springs is a very resilient community and honestly other cities could learn a lesson from them on how they take care of each other at all costs.”

For more information on how you can aid The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs during their wildfires please visit warmsprings-nsn.gov.