Oregon BottleDrop starts emergency fund to help wildfire fighting efforts

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Amid a record wildfire season, Oregon BottleDrop announced a new fund to help firefighting efforts across the state.

The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, which runs BottleDrop, announced the fund on Monday and said the organization will match donations up to $50,000 to bolster wildfire relief in Oregon.

The fund comes as at least 1.4 million acres of land have been scorched this wildfire season — marking more than any other year on record, according to OBRC.

“At OBRC, we are both in awe of the tireless resolution of the brave first responders who are risking their lives to protect their fellow Oregonians, and deeply saddened by the devastation to our beautiful state caused by the all-too-common wildfires,” said Devon Morales, OBRC vice president of external affairs. “BottleDrop customers are incredibly generous, and we are proud to work together to leverage the power of bottles and cans to support organizations that are making a big difference for communities impacted by the wildfires.”

Between now and Sept. 30, BottleDrop is donations to wildfire fighting efforts online or by donating 10-cent redeemable cans and bottles at BottleDrop redemption centers .

Donations will be directed to several nonprofits including the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon Farm Bureau, the Oregon State University Foundation, and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

DON’T MISS: KOIN 6 News full wildfire coverage

As firefighters battle megafires, and other wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, firefighters announced in early August that fires will continue burning until the region gets “significant rain.”

“Fire Managers in the Pacific Northwest predict that many wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon, and potentially new ones, will persist until the region experiences significant rain or snow this fall,” the United States Forest Service previously said.

Officials said they are preparing for “long-duration fires” with firefighting strategy focusing on creating a network of containment lines to help stop fires as they approach neighborhoods, powerlines, water supplies and other natural or cultural resources.

“Long-duration fires” occur in heavily forested areas like the woods found west of the Cascades. The dense woods provide “ample fuel that can sustain fires for extended periods and hold heat deep within the interior of a wildfire until conditions either escalate or moderate fire activity,” the USFS said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.