Les Schwab Tires and Oregon Foundations pledge $1 million for wildfire support
OREGON (KTVZ) -- Oregon Foundations and Les Schwab Tire Centers announced a partnership on June 30, 2026, to provide at least $1 million in wildfire preparedness support for rural communities. The initiative includes grants and a statewide tire donation program designed to bolster rural fire services and organizations ahead of a severe fire season.
The announcement was made at Gresham Fire Station #75 in Troutdale, Oregon, a location significant as the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, site of a massive wildfire in 2017.
The initial commitment of at least $1 million from partner foundations and additional anonymous funders will facilitate quick-response grants for nonprofits working to prepare communities and respond to wildfires. Les Schwab Tire Centers will contribute $100,000 worth of tires through its "Tires for Purpose" program.
This coordinated package targets Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and rural fire agencies, aiming to strengthen their readiness before fire season intensifies.
Les Schwab Tires' in-kind donation addresses a critical, often overlooked need for rural fire departments. Fire truck tires endure extreme wear and heat stress during wildfire response, making their replacement a significant operational expense for volunteer departments.
Bill Tester, Les Schwab store manager in Sandy, Ore., emphasized the company's commitment. “We are excited to use our Tires for Purpose program to help make sure our Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are well equipped for safety on and off the road ahead of fire season,” Tester said. “We've grown as a company to more than 600 stores across 15 states, but Oregon is our home. A safe and thriving Oregon matters to us. Our first responders deserve our support.”
The partnership comes as Oregon heads into the July 4 holiday weekend, historically one of the most dangerous periods for wildfires due to dry conditions, wind and human activity. This year's drought, a record-tying warm winter and low snowpack have heightened concerns among officials regarding the coming fire season.
John Bailey, Professor of Silviculture and Wildland Fire at the Oregon State University College of Forestry, underscored the urgency. “This year is shaping up to be a bad fire year,” Bailey said. “We can act now to prevent destructive wildfires and that's why this investment is so important.”
Oregon's rural communities heavily rely on volunteer firefighters and local fire districts, which often operate with limited budgets and equipment. City departments, such as Gresham's, must also be prepared to combat wildfires where rural and urban areas converge.
Gresham Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Traeger highlighted the impact of such resources. “Wildfires don't wait until we're ready,” Traeger said. “Every tire, every piece of equipment and every hour of training makes a difference when the call comes. Resources like these mean firefighters can respond faster, work more safely and stay on the fire line longer.”
The Oregon Community Foundation's (OCF) Disaster Readiness and Response Fund supports both emergency response and preparedness, including fire mitigation, specialized equipment, training and emergency supplies, along with long-term recovery efforts. The fund collects donations from across the state into a single pool, enabling OCF to deploy grants quickly when disaster strikes.
Kim Koenig, OCF's Director of Community Programs and Disaster Response, explained the role of philanthropic efforts. “Philanthropy doesn't replace first responders — we work right behind them,” Koenig said. “When a fire breaks out in a rural community, the volunteers who respond deserve equipment that works and a support system that can move quickly. We know from experience that the road to recovery after a disaster is longer than anyone wants — our Disaster Readiness and Response Fund is built to be there for the long haul, from preparation through the long period of rebuilding.”
The foundation partners are part of the Oregon Disaster Funders Network, a collaboration of grantmakers working to build a more resilient Oregon. This network coordinates philanthropic efforts across the sector.
Meghan Campbell, Program Officer at the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, expressed pride in the collaborative effort. “The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation is proud to stand alongside members of the Oregon Disaster Funders Network to support Oregon communities ahead of wildfire season,” Campbell said. “Coordinated regional philanthropy has an important role to play in meeting urgent needs before and after disasters and we are deeply grateful to the first responders who bravely care for and protect our communities.”
Kara Inae Carlisle, President and CEO of The Ford Family Foundation, noted the particular vulnerability of rural areas. “Rural communities often face the greatest risks with the fewest resources and the impacts of wildfire can last long after the flames are out,” Carlisle said. “That's why we're coordinating with partners from the Oregon Disaster Funders Network to support rural communities as wildfire season approaches, so we can mobilize resources quickly and stand ready to respond.”
