The campaign directs nearly $25,000 through the company’s Giving Fund to four rural fire protection districts, aiming to bridge the resource gap that often leaves remote Oregon communities vulnerable. These funds support the acquisition of critical medical and rescue equipment, building on a significant 38-acre land donation made by the company in 2025 to the Row River Rural Fire Protection District for a new emergency substation.
Beyond direct infrastructure, the program invests in the future of the field through a $10,000 grant to Lane Community College’s Wildland Fire Management Program. This capital provides safety gear and training tools for students, preparing a new cohort for the complexities of fire behavior and fuels reduction. The initiative also addresses the psychological toll of the profession by providing wildland firefighters access to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, which offers targeted support for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. According to Shane Conway, vice president of Western Timberlands, the effort underscores a shift toward year-round preparedness rather than seasonal reaction, emphasizing that the resilience of Oregon’s forests depends on maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with local agencies and first responders.

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