MCCAC and Partners Provide Critical Support for Rowena Fire Recovery Efforts
From Mid-Columbia Community Action Council:
By Leslie Naramore
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 10, 2025 — Since June, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) has provided essential recovery services to community members affected by the Rowena Fire, with significant progress in securing long-term housing for displaced residents.
The fire destroyed at least 58 homes, and many of the displaced community members were over the age of 60 and/or living below the local poverty threshold. Of the 26 Rowena households MCCAC is currently supporting, 23 have transitioned into stable, long-term housing placements—a major milestone given the region's limited housing supply and challenging rental market.
"The road to recovery will be long, and we are grateful for a compassionate community that continues to show up for our neighbors in need," said Executive Director Leslie Naramore. "While finding affordable rentals remains extremely challenging in our area, we're proud that the majority of affected families now have stable housing thanks to collaborative community efforts. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the hard work of the MCCAC Housing Stabilization team, particularly Sky Morgan, Michael Olson, and Connor Horne. They have gone above and beyond to help their clients find stability and provided compassionate care through it all."
MCCAC's Rapid Re-Housing program has been instrumental in supporting displaced residents by providing wraparound case management and covering rental application fees, move-in costs, and providing temporary rent payment assistance. The recovery effort has also seen new community partnerships emerge, with local landlords stepping forward to provide housing options for fire survivors.
"We've been heartened to see new landlords from the community step up to partner with MCCAC and provide housing for community members displaced by the fire," said Mitzi Mason, MCCAC Housing Stabilization Manager. "These partnerships have been crucial in helping us secure stable, long -term housing for so many families during this difficult time."
Beyond housing placement, MCCAC has coordinated extensive support for households transitioning into their new homes through support from businesses, foundations, faith groups, and individual community members.
Simplicity Homes is one of the businesses that has contributed to collaborative recovery efforts , recently providing $10,000 in support. "It will take all of us to help our communities successfully navigate long -term recovery from wildfire," says Ryan Jennings, President of Simplicity. "Mid-Columbia Community Action is doing important work to rehouse those displaced by the Rowena Fire, and Simplicity is proud to support their efforts and the families they serve." Staff from Simplicity traveled from across the state to personally meet with MCCAC staff, demonstrating not only their financial support but also their sincere commitment to work alongside community members on the long road to recovery.
Additional financial support to MCCAC’s Rowena Fire Response has been provided by Safeway, The Ford Family Foundation, Google, and the Oregon Department of Human Services. These funds continue to directly support housing stabilization for displaced Rowena residents.
"This summer's wildfires, especially the Rowena fire, have tested the resilience of The Dalles, and we've been inspired by how our community continues to come together," said Katy Bowman, Google's Community Development & Engagement Manager for The Dalles. "By supporting safe, stable housing, we hope to play a small part in helping our neighbors rebuild stronger than before."
Businesses, faith groups, and community members have donated critical household items for fire survivors. Downey Sleep Center facilitated a donation of more than 50 brand-new mattresses from Tempur Sealy, which are being distributed to any Rowena residents who lost their homes in the fire. Additionally, Bethany Lutheran Church in Warren, Oregon, through its Disaster Relief program, provided large quantities of kitchen kits, cleaning supply kits, and quilts specifically for Rowena clients.
The response from individual community members has been equally remarkable, with residents throughout the region donating funding, furniture, and household items to help fire-affected families rebuild their lives. These donations have included everything from large furniture items to kitchen appliances and specialized mobility items. MCCAC continues to coordinate the distribution of these donated items, matching families' specific needs with available resources to ensure the most effective support for each household's recovery journey.
"The various forms of community support make it possible to continue Rowena Wildfire recovery efforts," Executive Director Naramore noted, “I can’t say enough regarding how inspiring it has been to watch our community step up in real time and support their neighbors in need.”
MCCAC is the Community Action Agency serving Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties. Community Action is a nationwide program with over 1,000 agencies working throughout the United States to support people to move from poverty to thriving. MCCAC is part of the Community Action Partnership of Oregon and one of 18 Community Action Agencies working in the State of Oregon.
###
MCCAC is the Community Action Agency serving Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC's mission is to build a better future for our community through partnership and equity -centered programs that prevent and eliminate poverty and houselessness.
Support Local News!
Available for Everyone; Funded by Readers.
