Inside MCCAC: Stabilizing Rowena Fire survivors
From the Editor— Mid-Columbia Community Action Council has released the second in a series of informational overviews intended to address misconceptions and provide clearer understanding of the agency’s housing, shelter and support services in the Columbia Gorge. CCCNews has taken the liberty to organize and edit the content for reader clarity and organization.
The Dalles, Ore, March 2, 2026 — The Mid-Columbia Community Action Council has served as a central hub for recovery services following the Rowena Fire, helping dozens of displaced residents secure housing and rebuild after the June 2025 disaster destroyed at least 58 homes.
Rowena Fire smoke obscures Washington in this photo from Sorosis Park in The Dalles on June 11. The fire devastated the community, turning homes to ashes. Photo by Joshuah Albert
According to MCCAC, the agency is currently supporting 45 Rowena-area households, with 28 now transitioned into stable, long-term housing despite limited availability and a competitive rental market in the region. Many of those displaced were older adults or individuals living below the local poverty threshold.
MCCAC’s Rapid Re-Housing program has played a key role in the recovery effort, providing case management along with financial assistance for rental application fees, move-in costs and temporary rent payments. A dedicated recovery coordinator works directly with survivors to help them navigate housing options and access essential services.
Natasha Olson
“Recovery from a disaster like the Rowena Fire is rarely a straight line,” said Natasha Olson, MCCAC recovery coordinator. “Every household has different needs and faces different barriers. My role is to walk alongside each person—connecting them to the right resources at the right time, whether that’s navigating housing options, replacing vital documents, or just knowing someone is in their corner. We are in this for the long haul.”
Community support has supplemented MCCAC’s work. Financial contributions have come from Google, Safeway, The Ford Family Foundation, Simplicity Homes and the Oregon Department of Human Services. Additional in-kind donations included 80 new mattresses from Tempur Sealy, coordinated through Downey Sleep Center, as well as furniture, appliances, kitchen supplies and mobility equipment donated by individuals and faith-based groups.
MCCAC traces its origins to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which created community action agencies nationwide as part of the War on Poverty. The organization has served Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties since 1965 and has expanded its role to include disaster recovery coordination and housing support following the Rowena Fire.
Residents affected by the Rowena Fire who have not yet connected with MCCAC can email rowenarecovery@mccac.com or call 541-965-2169. Additional assistance is available through the Long-Term Recovery Group, a coalition of nonprofit, government, faith-based and business organizations that reviews unmet recovery needs and helps connect survivors with available resources, including funds administered through United Way of the Columbia Gorge.
More information about MCCAC programs is available at www.mccac.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mccactd.
