Resource Center offers fire victims, food, water & hugs in TD: More help on Wednesday, June18, 4 - 7 p.m.
Columbia Gorge Food Bank Exec. Director Breen Goodwin goes over a food box with Salvation Army’s Kristen Harmon outside the fire relief center at 401 Third Street in The Dalles today, June 16.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., June 16, 2025 — Donations and acts of kindness were in full force Wednesday on Third Street in The Dalles as local agencies came together to provide initial relief for victims of the Rowena Fire, which destroyed 56 homes and damaged numerous others.
While no fatalities have been reported in the wind-driven blaze that burned 3,500 acres between Rowena and The Dalles, it was clear that "triage" was needed to help those left without homes or belongings.
About 30 fire victims and their families visited the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) hosted at the Veteran Services Office, 401 E. Third St. The event brought together 13 organizations offering emergency assistance.
If you did no make it. That’s Ok. It will hold a second event on Wednesday, June 18 from 4-7 p.m.
Today, Chaplains, the American Red Cross, food banks, Adventist Health, emergency services, and social service agencies provided supplies, hugs, and listening ears to neighbors navigating immense loss.
The community’s compassion was evident as the resource center operated from noon to 3 p.m.
A woman who identified herself only as Anita dropped off around 60 rolls of toilet paper at the Columbia Gorge Food Bank truck, which held food supplies for 30 families.
“This is why we do it,” said Columbia Gorge Food Bank Executive Director Breen Goodwin. “We’re ready now.”
Disaster Relief Volunteers with The American Red Cross were handing out tools and supplies to help victims of the Rowena Fire. They offered rakes for culling through ashes and buckets with basic supplies such as trash bags, gloves. Tyvek suits were also available.
“We are just getting this started,” said Stephanie Krell, Wasco County public information officer. “There were 130 addresses assessed in the fire area.”
Krell noted that even those whose homes survived face other challenges, such as smoke damage, hazardous trees, or destroyed wells and septic systems.
Wasco County Services Manager Sheridan McClellan
“That’s where MARC comes in,” she said. “We can show people how to move forward by connecting them with the resources that best match how they’ve been affected.”
Krell said she has been working 12- to 14-hour days since the fire began and praised her colleague, Wasco County Services Manager Sheridan McClellan.
The stories shared ranged from heartbreaking to hopeful.
Vanessa Lane, a paralegal at Peachey, Davies & Myers, brought three bags of groceries to donate.
“I live right next to the fire,” she said. “I know friends of friends who were caught in it. I’m lucky to be in a position to help, so I figured I should provide a little.”
One woman recalled standing outside her home near Mayer State Park with a garden hose, soaking the ground until it became too dangerous.
Her son rescued her from the fire.
“I’m blessed,” she said. “I lost power and the food spoiled, but my house is still standing.”
Other families weren’t as fortunate. One is now sheltering six people in a two-bedroom apartment.
The American Red Cross shelter at The Dalles Middle School had fewer than 10 people staying overnight Sunday, down from 45 last Wednesday. Many appear to have found shelter with family or friends. The middle school remains open for RV and camper stays and continues to provide water and food.
“There is a long road to recovery,” Krell said. “We need to keep the momentum. This is not going to end next week. We’re looking at the long game.”
“People want to help, even if they don’t know what to do. They don’t want to do nothing,” said Chelsea Perritt, veteran service officer.
CCCNews has received numerous requests for a verifiable and credible donation fund for fire victims. We are actively researching and will update readers when more information becomes available.
Already, about $44,000 has been donated via GoFundMe campaigns. However, some community members are reluctant to use online platforms due to trust or concerns over administrative fees.
The Dalles Elks have set up a donation center at 2620 W. Second St., next to the former site of Red’s Trading Post. The service organization is accepting donations and inviting people in need to take what they require. The center will be open today, June 16, until 4 p.m., and weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Clothing, shoes, bedding, and some household items are available. While food supplies are limited, residents are encouraged to stop by.
Iron Fitness, located at 3691 Klindt Drive, Suite 203, is also offering support. Clothing (all sizes), shoes, baby supplies, and other essentials are available to those impacted by the fire. Donations from the community are being distributed today until 5:30 p.m. For questions, call (541) 980-1100.
TD Mayor Rich Mays
“It’s gratifying to see the help in this community,” said The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays, who praised Sheriff Lane Magill, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, and all responding agencies. “There were something like 585 fire personnel working this fire at one point. So many people came to help.”
Mays concluded by calling the emergency teams “rock stars.”
Evacuation maps for the active Rowena Fire is available here.
