BOARDMAN, Ore.-The Boardman community is coming together after five homes were lost in a series of fires, some of which may have been arson, on July 18.
“This has been a very tragic event for our community,” Boardman Police Chief Rick Stokoe said at a press conference regarding the fires on July 18. “The outpouring of support has been exceptional.”
One of the fires in the Willow Fork Drive area of Boardman was reportedly sparked by a lawnmower, while others in the area, and near I-84, may have been started intentionally.
Witnesses reportedly saw a man running from one of the fires get into a gray pickup truck and drive away. Anyone with any information on the fires or how they may have started should contact Boardman Police or the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Evacuation orders were in place for homeowners along Willow Fork Drive between Kincade Road and Locust Road, and an evacuation center was set up at the SAGE Center during the fires.
In addition to the five homes that were burned, a former church operating as the Boardman Food Pantry also burned.
“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our first responders, local businesses, community members, and volunteers—as well as fire crews from surrounding towns—who stepped up during Friday’s devastating fires in the City of Boardman,” said Torrie Griggs, CEO of the Boardman Chamber of Commerce on July 21.“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their homes and been displaced by this tragedy.”
The Boardman Chamber is now the contact point for donations to the families who lost their homes in the fires and can be reached at 541.481.3014 or via email at info@boardmanchamber.org.
Donations of clothing and other physical items may be dropped off at The King’s Garden Church located at 200 SW Willow Fork Drive.
A list of items needed is available through the Boardman Chamber and will be updated regularly.
Monetary donations may be made at any Banner Bank branch under the name “Boardman Fire Relief Fund,” a donation account created by Boardman Senior Citizens Inc, with all donations going directly to families who lost their homes. The last four digits of the account are 2252.
The Boardman Food Pantry plans to reopen and continue to provide access to food and support in a temporary location in the STAR Center, owned by Community Counseling Solutions on July 24.
“Although the Boardman Food Pantry building was lost in the recent fire, our commitment to serving our community remains stronger than ever,” the pantry posted after the fire.
Donations to help the Boardman Food Pantry can be made to their account at the Bank of Eastern Oregon or mailed to PO Box 522, Boardman, OR 97818.
