ORVOAD Wildfire Response Update
ORVOAD remains actively engaged in statewide wildfire response efforts as smoke impacts continue across Oregon. Our work centers on coordination, resource alignment, and supporting the organizations serving communities directly. We want partners to have a clear picture of what is happening statewide and how ORVOAD is helping connect efforts, fill gaps, and strengthen collaboration.
State Agency Coordination
ORVOAD continues to participate in OEM’s ESF-16 Volunteer and Donations Management coordination calls, working closely with OEM, ODHS, OHA, local COADs, and statewide nonprofit partners. These calls allow us to track emerging needs, understand where smoke impacts are most severe, and help partners align resources quickly. This coordination has been essential in identifying gaps, supporting local distribution efforts, and ensuring that filtration resources reach communities experiencing the greatest impacts.
If your organization is doing work related to air quality, air filtration, or smoke impacts, please let us know. We are building a statewide picture of ongoing efforts and want to ensure your work is included in the coordination landscape.
Air Filter Distribution and Resource Support
A major focus of our current activation is supporting air filtration needs across the state. This work has grown into a truly collaborative effort involving multiple agencies and nonprofit partners working together to meet urgent community needs.
ORVOAD provided funding to purchase air filters from BetAir, which included generous support from Miter Foundation and UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), two of our statewide partners committed to helping Oregon communities during wildfire events. In addition to supplying the filters, BetAir reached out to Home Depot to secure box fans and tape needed to assemble complete filtration devices.
Once supplies arrive, OHA is coordinating volunteers to assemble the units, and ODHS is providing warehouse space, storage management, and distribution support to ensure devices reach the communities experiencing the greatest smoke impacts. Through this combined effort, filtration devices have already moved into Jackson County, Central Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and other regions facing prolonged air quality challenges.
We are also partnering with Ustream Access in collaboration with the Central Oregon Disability Support Network, who are receiving direct requests from individuals who are elderly, disabled, immunocompromised, or otherwise at high risk for respiratory impacts. ORVOAD is coordinating funding gaps so these households can receive filtration devices without delay, and this work continues to expand as new requests come in.
If your organization would like to help support this ongoing need, please reach out.
Strengthening Statewide and National Partnerships
As wildfire season progresses, ORVOAD is expanding collaboration with National VOAD to bring additional resources and national partners into Oregon. These connections help strengthen statewide response capacity and support organizations facing increased demand.
Join the ORVOAD Partner Meeting — Thursday, August 20 at 1:00 PM
Join the ORVOAD Partnership Meeting on Microsoft Teams
As wildfire season progresses, ORVOAD is expanding collaboration with National VOAD to bring additional resources and national partners into Oregon. These connections help strengthen statewide response capacity and support organizations facing increased demand.
Ways to Engage With ORVOAD
Partners who want to stay involved in statewide coordination can:
- Register as an ORVOAD partner — Partner With Us
- Reach out through our contact page
- Attend our monthly partner meetings and coordination calls
- Share emerging needs or coordination gaps by emailing Info@orvoad.org
We encourage organizations providing mass care, recovery support, case management, or other disaster-related services to connect with us. ORVOAD is here to support your efforts and strengthen coordination across the state.
Barb Edwards
Executive Director