Oregon Wildfires: How to Help & Be Prepared

Oregon is in one of its most severe fire seasons on record. As of the morning of August 1, the National Interagency Coordination Center reported 42 uncontained large fires across Oregon and Washington, with 24 incident management teams committed and more than 18,000 personnel assigned. The Northwest is at Preparedness Level 5, the highest readiness tier in the national system, and the country as a whole is also at Level 5. Nationally, fires and acres burned are both running above the ten-year average, at 128 and 133 percent respectively. National Interagency Fire Center + 2

Nothing is burning near Forest Park. Communities elsewhere in the state need help now, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management has published guidance on how to give it in ways that help rather than hinder.

Give money, not goods

Cash contributions let disaster response organizations buy exactly what is needed, when and where it is needed. OEM points to several organizations collecting for Oregon disaster response: oregon

• Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
• Oregon Community Foundation
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation
• United Way Pacific Northwest Disaster Recovery Fund
• American Red Cross Cascades Region

You can also dial 211 or visit 211info.org to find organizations currently active in response.

Do not self-deploy

Unaffiliated volunteers can unintentionally disrupt emergency operations. Sign up through a recognized organization instead. Much of the volunteer need arrives later, during long-term community recovery. Register through Oregon Volunteers in Disasters. Neighbors with medical training can join SERV-OR and the Medical Reserve Corps. oregonoregon

Donate items only when a specific need is announced

Unrequested goods create storage problems, generate waste, and slow response down. Watch official emergency management channels for announced needs, or check 211info.org for organizations currently accepting items. oregon

Other ways to help

Fundraisers and community events can generate contributions to recognized relief organizations. Blood donation to the American Red Cross is another option.

Staying ready here

Forest Park sits in the wildland urban interface. The steps OEM is recommending statewide apply to us:

• Sign up for emergency alerts at PublicAlerts.org, which serves Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Clackamas counties, and enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone.
• Know the evacuation levels: 1 Ready, 2 Set, 3 GO.
• Pack a go bag now, before any alert. You can leave whenever you want, and leaving early is fine.
• Check Wildfire.oregon.gov for conditions, TripCheck.com or 511 for roads, and the OEM Wildfire Dashboard for real-time maps.
• Prevent the next one. Keep Oregon Green has practical guidance on avoiding ignitions.
• Build toward 2 Weeks Ready, the state’s standard for household preparedness.
• Follow the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Fire Marshal for updates.

If this is weighing on you

The Disaster Distress Helpline is 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988 by call, text, or chat. More support lines are listed on the Oregon Health Authority’s help page.

Sources:
National Interagency Coordination Center, Incident Management Situation Report, Saturday, August 1, 2026, 0730 MDT.
Oregon Department of Emergency Management, “How You Can Support Communities Affected by Wildfires,” July 20, 2026.