Hearts are aching at Restore Oregon for those suffering and experiencing loss from September’s historic wildfires. Our staff is reeling from the immensity of destruction throughout our beautiful state and doing all we can to learn what has been saved and what has been lost.
As people whose personal and professional lives revolve around placemaking and the protection of endangered historic resources, our spirits are heavy. Yet, we cannot begin to understand what many of you have experienced. Still, we know that Oregonians are strong, and these tragic events have proven that we’re even stronger together. 
Many of you banded together to save historic resources in your communities. Your efforts were nothing short of heroic, and we thank you. We would also like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers, firefighters and emergency responders from across the United States, Canada, Mexico and beyond who put their lives at risk to help Oregonians. 
Restore Oregon staff members have participated in several state and national level meetings with Oregon’s heritage organizations and FEMA to discuss how to respond to and better prepare for future disasters. Rest assured, work is being done at the state level to create a disaster response and a recovery plan for Oregon’s heritage interests. 
In the meantime, we would like to recognize several historic places that have been affected by this disaster:
 

  • The Almeda Fire in southern Oregon claimed nearly 3,000 total structures and caused smoke and water damage to local archives and museums in the decimated communities of Talent and Phoenix. An off-site storage area for the Daughters of the American Revolution in the area was also lost.
  • The McKenzie River Valley was similarly devastated by the Holiday Farm Fire, including the near total loss of the small unincorporated community of Blue River, which was home to around 925 people. The fire claimed the Mckenzie River Mountain Resort, including its historic ranger cabin, built in 1900. The McKenzie River Fish Hatchery campus also lost a building, but a dedicated team of firefighters did save the 1938 Goodpasture Bridge spanning the McKenzie River near the town of Vida.
  • Near the Opal Creek Wilderness, the Beachie Creek Fire destroyed most of the 1930s-era off-grid community of Jawbone Flats, a one-of-a-kind destination for outdoor recreation and education. And most heart-wrenching of all, the Beachie Creek fire claimed the lives of five people, including George Atiyeh, the legendary environmentalist who helped preserve Opal Creek in the 1990s.
  • Another truly devastating loss is Willamette University’s Thetford Lodge, the summer home of Charles A. Sprague, who was the 22nd Governor of Oregon (1939-1943) and the longtime editor of the Oregon Statesman Journal. The lodge was built by Pietro Belluschi in 1948. Donated to the university for use as an educational and recreational facility by the Belluschi family in 1963, the lodge served as a retreat for generations of faculty, staff, and students.
  • Sparked by lightning during a historic windstorm Labor Day weekend, the Lionshead Fire ravaged the Willamette, Deschutes and Mt. Hood National Forests, including the Santiam Canyon. Breitenbush Hot Springs lost half its structures and much of the residential community of Devil’s Creek across the river. In addition, 264 resident homes and most businesses were destroyed in Detroit and the communities of Gates and Mill City were similarly ravaged. Amazingly, the historic Gates School was spared, apart from some heat damage, while the buildings surrounding it were destroyed.
  • We are happy to report that the recently relocated Molalla Log House—possibly the oldest pioneer dwelling in Oregon history–survived the fires in the Hopkins Demonstration Forest. 

This short list does not begin to encompass the enormous loss Oregonians have suffered over the last several months, but we are encouraged by your stories of strength, resilience, and resoluteness. Restore Oregon stands by those who have lost their homes, businesses, livelihoods, and memorable places, commends those who risked life and limb to save our resources, and continues to work hard to preserve historic places in the areas affected by wildfire. 
We will continue to share information as we learn about additional resources or ways we can advocate for and support any and all recovery efforts for places of meaning and significance throughout the state.