July 1, 2026 3:50 a.m.
As Oregon heads into the July 4th holiday weekend and what is forecast to be a severe fire season, a coalition of philanthropic and business partners is helping rural fire services, government agencies and nonprofits to get ready and respond.
The Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation and Les Schwab Tire Centers have announced a coordinated package of support totaling at least $1 million in grants, alongside a statewide tire donation program to strengthen rural fire agencies before fire season takes hold.
An OCF release said the initial commitment from partner foundations and additional anonymous funders will provide quick-response grants to support the nonprofits working to prepare communities and respond when needed.
OCF’s Director of Community Programs and Disaster Response Kim Koenig said, “When a fire breaks out in a rural community, the volunteers who respond deserve equipment that works and a support system that can move quickly”.
Les Schwab Tires will donate $100,000 worth of tires from its Tires for Purpose program to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations statewide, addressing a critical and often overlooked need: fire truck fires are subject to extreme wear and heat stress during wildfire response, and replacing them is a significant operation expense for volunteer departments.
The release said the July 4th holiday weekend historically marks one of the most dangerous periods of fire season, with dry conditions, wind and human activity combining to heighten risk across the state. Add to that this year’s drought, a record-tying warm winter and low snowpack, and officials are deeply concerned about the coming fire season.
President and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation Kara Carlisle said, “Rural communities often face the greatest risks with the fewest resources, and the impacts of wildfire can last long after the flames are out”. Carlisle said, “That’s why we’re coordinating with partners from the Oregon Disaster Funders Network to support rural communities as wildfire season approaches, so we can mobilize resources quickly and stand ready to respond”.
More information about the program is available at: https://oregoncf.org/news/oregon-foundations-les-schwab-tire-centers-partner-to-provide-at-least-1m-in-wildfire-preparedness-support-for-rural-communities