[Last updated August 11, 2026 10:41 am]

If there is one thing I have learned during this fire season is that community will rise to meet what the community needs in ways that are effective, coordinated, and messy all at once. Another truth is that folks with power, privilege, and safety are struggling to navigate their support in a time when a deep sense of helplessness feels like the norm.

The Bench and Beachcomb fires have combined on the Warm Springs Reservation, wreaking havoc with more than 60,000 acres burning and 6 homes burned down so far. Opportunities for support seem to spring up every few hours, and it’s hard not to feel like you are just spamming mutual aid donation opportunities out into the world and hoping for the best.

Since I work in Warm Springs and am connected to many of the folks who are doing on-the-ground support or who have family and friends directly impacted, my phone has been blowing up with care, concern, and a desire to help. While I cannot speak for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, reservation-based nonprofits, or even community members, what I can do is create a space where all of the mutual aid monetary and donation requests are as an ongoing resource. My goal is to amplify the work already being done by community, for community, in community and focus on those who are in survival mode to move them to safety and recovery.

My two cents, and these are my views only… direct monetary donations are the single most effective way to support folks in crises. In a time when there is so much out of their control, having agency and choice on how to spend their recovery dollars is a small way to bring control back to their lives.

DIRECT MONETARY DONATIONS TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES

There are additional families who lost homes, but they have not been identified yet. Please consider saving some of your donation money as those folks move from survival and safety to recovery. We know many community members have property that was impacted by the fire. I am uplifting direct donation links for families who have confirmed the homes they were living in were lost in the fire.

DIRECT MONETARY DONATIONS TO COMMUNITY-LED EMERGENCY FUNDING

The Warm Springs Fire Relief Fund is a community-led emergency fund providing direct assistance to those most impacted. Donations help meet immediate needs, including temporary lodging, food, fuel, clothing, medications, and other essential expenses. This fund has been providing deep levels of transparency and has been very effective at getting money into the community while the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs get their fund set up and ready to disburse to community members. (See note below about the official fund, which does not appear to have a process in place for Tribal members to request support yet).

Any funds not claimed by the time the fire is out will be evenly distributed directly the six families who lost their homes or given directly to the Tribe.

DIRECT MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE OFFICIAL DONATION ACCOUNT FOR THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WARM SPRINGS

As far as I can tell, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs government staff have not yet set up a system to distribute these funds yet. Essential personnel worked incredibly hard around the clock through the evacuation and it may take some time to coordinate these funds.

<<CTWS DONATION LINK>>

“The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWS) sincerely appreciates the generosity and support of community members, neighboring tribes, organizations, and partners during this challenging time. Every contribution—whether through donations or volunteer service—helps strengthen the response and recovery efforts for those affected by the fires.

The 30th Tribal Council sends prayers to the community, people, and our Nation of Warm Springs. Their thoughts are especially with the families who have lost their homes. The Tribal Council will continue to work closely with emergency responders, Incident Command, and or local, state, and federal partners to navigate this crisis together and protect lives, property, and lands.

We welcome donations to assist individuals and families impacted by the Bench Fire and Beachcomb Fire to meet immediate needs, and financial contributions to help us rebuild what was lost. We ask that you coordinate donations and volunteer assistance through designated Tribal contacts.

Donations may include:

  • Financial contributions – use this page to donate right away
  • Hygiene products
  • Bottled water

To coordinate donation drop offs, please contact:

To coordinate financial contributions from other governments or corporations, please contact:

If you want to volunteer please contact: 

Stay informed: 

MUTUAL AID DONATIONS

[AUGUST 11th UPDATE: Due to the incredible generosity of the community, the CTWS is no longer accepting donations due to a lack of storage space]

This drive is being spearheaded by the community and directs donations to the Emergency Management and Commodities program at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs for distribution, both at their evacuation site and through the Commodities program. Full disclosure, I set up the drop off at The Haven Co-working after reaching out to the organizer to see if it would be helpful since I already commute to Warm Springs between one to three times a week. I also know the organizer personally.

Madras Garden Depot also is supporting a separate drop off site at the Madras Elks Lodge #2017 and will help with collection of donations if/when someone cannot make the drop off location.

Current donation requests include the following (as of August 6th), any other donations will be redirected to others in need.

  • Water in gallon jugs or larger
  • Diapers, all baby and adult sizes
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby formula (unexpired and unopened)
  • Soap and body wash
  • Shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Tampons/pads
  • Other personal hygiene products

Donations should be purchased new and either come in sealed boxes or be sorted into boxes that can be closed with similar items.

Finally, there are a number of Central Oregon organizations running their own donation campaigns. This is great! But I am not adding them here because they are supplemental to these Native driven community efforts, unless they have a donation drop off that is not included above.

WARM SPRINGS ANIMAL RELIEF FUND

While not Native-led, a coalition of animal welfare groups and veterinarians launched the Warm Springs Animal Relief Fund at the request of a community member whose horse Feather was injured. The Bench Fire has destroyed an estimated 40,000 acres of grazing land across the Warm Springs area. Organizers say the loss of forage creates immediate and long-term challenges for horses, cattle and wildlife as the region prepares for winter.

This fund will support the purchase and transportation of hay, grain, supplements and salt blocks for displaced animals, which has been identified as a high priority need as of August 2nd. It will also support emergency animal care supplies for displaced companion animals and habitat restoration for wildlife.

In solidarity,

LeeAnn

Unknown's avatar

Published by Allyship in Action

Leave a comment