COTTAGE GROVE – On Oct. 7 Weyerhaeuser announced its donation of 38 acres of land in Disston to Row River Fire Response (RRFR).
The donation comes “as part of the company’s commitment to supporting the health and safety of its operating communities,” said Alison Sabella, on behalf of Weyerhaeuser.
The donated land connects the Row River and Lower Brice Creek areas and will serve as the site for a new RRFR emergency substation facility to improve wildlife response times.
Row River Valley, a rural area east of Cottage Grove, experiences high wildfire risk each summer and historically has not had rapid access to city fire department services. South Lane County Fire and Rescue Station 21 in Cottage Grove is approximately 15 miles from the historical brush fires near Dorena.
RRFR is a nonprofit that provides support for fire and emergency services. Rural fire protection districts typically operate with limited resources and are often the first responders to wildfires in remote areas across Oregon.
“By supporting organizations like RRFR, Weyerhaeuser can make a real difference in wildfire response and help ensure these first responders can keep our communities and forests healthy,” said Lyndcy Patrick, land use manager at Weyerhaeuser.
In 2023, Weyerhaeuser awarded a grant of $25,000 to RRFR through its Giving Fund to support infrastructure costs for a new fire facility. According to a press release from Weyerhaeuser, the substation in Disston will serve as a satellite fire station with a firetruck and water tender, which will “enhance emergency response times in Dorena, Culp Creek, and surrounding areas.”
Row River Rural Fire Protection District has four firetrucks, all previously from other stations.
A Pierce ‘Dash’ Pumper was donated by Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection, and is stationed near the Dorena Covered Bridge to cover the mid Row River and Shoreview roads.
Scappoose Fire District donated a Western States engine for structural and brush fires, and is stationed at the Rat Creek satellite station.
Pleasant Hill Goshen provided RRRFPD with an International 490 Engine that is easy to access hard-to-reach areas. It is stationed in Disston. An attack pumper, the E-One, was made available by Mohawk Valley Fire, and is stationed in Dorena at RRRFPD’s temporary headquarters.
Creswell native Jessica Landstra, owner of Farmlands Market in Creswell, is the captain of RRRFD, but had no comment on the subject.
“We can’t thank Weyerhaeuser enough for this generous donation and their support for the strength and resilience of rural communities,” said Kathleen Istudor, executive director at RRFR. “The land donation provides more than just infrastructure.
It gives our firefighters the resources to respond quickly and gives our community much-needed protection.
With wildfire risk on the rise and many neighbors living on limited means, this donation will help us ensure no one is left behind in a time of crisis,” she said.
Weyerhaeuser has donated more than $70,000 over the past several years to support rural fire protection districts and fire departments in its communities where it operates.
To learn more about Row River Fire Response, visit rowriverfire.org.
