Oregon Wildfires and Watching Out for Donation Scams

Posted by Pam Leavitt on August 13, 2026

It is heartbreaking to share that more than two million acres have already burned in Oregon. The impacts are far-reaching, and communities across the state have navigated loss, evacuations, and harmful air quality. This difficult wildfire season also comes with high costs to our state. We have reached over $150 million in gross costs this wildfire season so far.

In 2025, the Legislature proactively allocated $150 million in dedicated suppression funds for the biennium, which was based on the state’s 5-year average net suppression costs of $75 million per year.

Last fire season, we came under our 5-year average, leaving just over $80 million to start this fire season. In partnership with the State Treasury, the passage of HB 3940 in 2025 also provided access to treasury loans to pay for suppression declared.

With two months still left in fire season, Oregon has already broken its own wildfire record — acres burned are up 25% over the previous record, set just two years ago. Smoke has blanketed communities across the state, and tragically, one fire has claimed the life of bulldozer operator Jason Ensign, a stark reminder of the risks taken every day by the firefighters and first responders working to protect Oregonians.

As the active threat of fire reduces for many of our communities, a new threat often emerges – scammers. In the wake of disaster, people are particularly vulnerable to scams designed to prey on people’s desperation and uncertainty.

As financial partners to many of the people affected by these disasters, we have the opportunity to help prepare and protect their recovery by raising their awareness of scams and providing effective tips to guide them.

Below are some suggested message points you can proactively share with your employees and members. We highly encourage you to communicate with your members about how to protect against disaster scammers and share your efforts with us.

Are you already communicating with your members about potential wildfire recovery scams? We’d like to know! Please share any communications, programs, or frontline success stories that we can share with legislators and media.

SCAM MESSAGING POINTS

BE AWARE: Scammers are highly active after major disasters like wildfires. Below are some suggested tips to communicate to your employees and members:

Tips:

• Don’t let urgency override caution. Legitimate contractors, charities, and government agencies won’t demand payment, banking information, or immediate commitments. Pause and verify before transacting.
• Watch for fake charity requests. Donate directly to well-known and verified organizations with established donation processes. Don’t click on unsolicited links in texts, emails, or social media posts.
• Verify cleanup and recovery specialists. Homeowners in particular may be approached by companies offering special wildfire recovery services. Ask for license numbers, proof of insurance, and local references. Also be sure to document everything before cleanup begins for both insurance and fraud protection.
• Protect personal information. Don’t give out your Social Security number, bank account information, or insurance claim number unless you’ve independently verified the identity and credentials of the business or organization you’re dealing with.

Please also ensure that your wildfire relief donations are going to verified organizations. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has provided a list of trusted wildfire relief organizations:

• Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
• Oregon Community Foundation
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation
• United Way Pacific Northwest Disaster Recovery Fund
• American Red Cross Cascades Region
• Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE: Credit Unions Lead

By proactively guiding your members on how to safely recover from disaster, credit unions can demonstrate their leadership in the communities they serve. That leadership has a powerful impact on our advocacy and we encourage you to take this opportunity to lead and share your successes with us so that we can make sure your stories reach the leaders and communities that shape the future of Oregon.

Thank you for everything you are doing!

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Oregon Advocacy.