About Us
Coordinating & Supporting
Our Mission
The wildfires in Otis OR that began in mid September 2020 changed the face of Lincoln County forever. The Echo Mountain Complex Fire burned 300 homes and left more than 1,200 people homeless. The impact of this disaster was unexpected and substantial, and publicity around the event was short-lived. While the fires are now behind us, there are many more challenges and obstacles that stand in our way.
Our goal is to establish recovery resources for every affected member of this community and we will leave no stone unturned until every fire survivor can rebuild their life and return home. Though we cannot undo the disaster families and individuals have experienced, we hope to help them establish a new normal for their life. We serve Survivors regardless of age, race, creed, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or religious preference.
Our Priorities
The LC LTRG uses the following guidelines to determine the priorities and the actions and decisions of the LC LTRG. Primarily, it is focused on Individuals and families who need assistance to maintain or obtain safe, sanitary and secure housing, including:
- Individuals and families who are not served, or who are underserved, by other existing aid programs, including those who are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Individuals and families who are experiencing economic hardship in pursuing a plan for recovery.
- Individuals and families who are isolated or have difficulty accessing services.
- Individuals and families who have begun the recovery process but have encountered a setback and need assistance with their continued recovery.
- Individuals and families who need assistance in order to prevent deterioration in their continued recovery.
Our teams are ready to help.
LTRG Committees
Spiritual and Emotional Care Committee
Help is here. Contact the Lincoln County LTRG at [email protected]
The physical impacts of the Echo Mountain Complex Fire are obvious. Much less obvious are the spiritual and emotional impacts of the wildfires. Stresses from the loss of housing, possessions, cherished memories, employment, a sense of community, and a sense of security must be dealt with. Frequently, those one might turn to for support may be dealing with the same stressors and not be in a situation to help. The Spiritual and Emotional Care Committee was formed to help relieve this pressure. Church pastors, trained lay people, and mental health practitioners are available to assist you through these difficult times. Whenever possible, support will be aligned with your cultural and religious preferences. Our focus is on supporting YOU and helping you deal with the stressors in your life – not changing your beliefs. All conversations will be held in the strictest confidence between you and your counselor.
call the 24/7 Lincoln County crisis line at 1-866-266-0288.
Emotional and Spiritual Care Resources
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 english, 1-888-628-9454 spanish
- Available Resources: Lincoln County Resource List
- Disaster Distress Helpline call or text 1-800-985-590 24/7, 365 days a year
- Lines for Life
Volunteer Committee
This committee is currently forming.
Volunteers have always been valuable and, when properly coordinated, make up an essential part of the human resources needed to respond to disasters of all types and sizes. In times of disaster, people are drawn to help their neighbors physically, spiritually, and emotionally. We believe volunteers’ skills are best used and are most effective when they volunteer as part of an established organization trained in disaster response activities. However, we realize that not all volunteers will be affiliated with an organization and trained prior to a disaster. We acknowledge that they too are a valuable resource and should receive the same level of care.
Contact: [email protected]
Unmet Needs Committee
The mission of this committee is to create the Unmet Needs group, bringing together donors and casework agencies to financially assist those impacted by a disaster, provide emergency assistance, and assist victims’ long-term recovery in situations when all other means of assistance are no longer available.
Contact: [email protected]
Our Partners
As we continue to grow and serve our community, we’ve worked with a variety of organizations focused on resilience and recovery work in Lincoln County.
The following organizations are a few of the partners collaborating to serve Lincoln County residents impacted by the 2020 wildfires:
Atonement Lutheran Church
Calvary Church of Lincoln City
Catholic Charities of Oregon
Cascade Relief Team
Community Services Consortium
Echo Mountain Fire Relief Fund
Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County
Landscaping with Love
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO)
Lincoln County Commissioners
Lincoln County School District – Otis Strong Tigers
Lincoln County Emergency Management
Oregon Department of Human Services – OREM
Oregon Housing & Community Services
Oregon Department of Emergency Management
Oregon State University – Extension
Salmon River Grange
Team Rubicon
United Way of Linn, Benton, & Lincoln County