Community Advocates Warn Of Waning ‘Honeymoon Period’ Following Wildfires
Source KLCC.org
The outpouring of support for Oregon wildfire victims was strong following September’s destruction. But some fear awareness is waning, just as winter nears.
Listen to the full Radio segment here https://www.klcc.org/post/community-advocates-warn-waning-honeymoon-period-following-wildfires
Tim Laue is president of the McKenzie River Development Corporation. Standing in the ruins of the town of Blue River, he says while support was strong after the Holiday Farm Fire burned through this summer, it’s now in the waning part of a “honeymoon” period.
“Where everybody feels like they’re getting attention, you’re on CNN, you’re on NPR, and then everybody kinda goes away, and the mood for the communities and the individuals…craters,” he told KLCC.
“So part of what we are trying to do is keep enough things going on that’re noticeable in the community and from the community, so people still feel support with what’s still going to be a hard winter for all of us.”
Laue says so far, his organization has received $200,000 in donations and is working with EWEB and Lane County on relief efforts. But the winter will bring power outages and possible mudslides given the heavy rains.
Copyright 2020, KLCC.
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KLCC – Blue River Relief Workers Prepare For Cold, Damp Winter
Source: KLCC.org
Winter is coming…and for residents of the McKenzie River Corridor, that means further hardship on top of the Holiday Farm Fire that destroyed more than 400 homes in September. But helpers are preparing in advance.
Listen to the full Radio segment here: https://www.klcc.org/post/following-wildfires-blue-river-relief-workers-prepare-cold-damp-winter
At the Blue River Relief Center, coordinator Madison Kleiner walks through a school gymnasium filled with donated clothes, food, and appliances.
Madison Kleiner, coordinator of the Blue River relief center. Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
“We have bedding and towels on our right, we have a bookshelf, we have a game shelf, we have many tables of toys…”
The relief center here is one of three set up along the area hit by wildfires this year. Kleiner says their big focus now is winter preparations.
“So we will be here for at least the next six months. There is a prediction that we will be without power for weeks without any relief this winter, and we’ll be stuck in McKenzie Bridge and Blue River.”
Besides the usual food and clothes, Kleiner hopes people donate winter gear, snowshoes, and camping stoves. Christmas and Hannukah presents are also welcome.
Copyright 2020, KLCC
