A tool-lending library established to help victims of the Holiday Farm Fire rebuild their lives expects to use new donations to help ready sites for new residence construction.
The Blue River Tool Library, built with funding from natural resources industries activism organization Timber Unity, recently received a $5,000 from Eugene-Springfield Sun Automotive Service. Library manager Antony Abel says he intends to buy tools that will facilitate installing manufactured housing.
"We need a laser level for leveling people's lots so they can move in mobile homes. We need a jackhammer, which I want to get right away for cement work," Abel said. "There are a few high-end items that'll be really good to have."
The Blue River Tool Library began lending chainsaws, shovels and other implements to locals returning to the McKenzie River Valley after the fire. The Holiday Farm Fire began on Labor Day, burning down more than 400 homes and leveling town of Blue River.
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Timber Unity gave Abel $5,000 of nearly $50,000 raised in 2020 for wildfire relief efforts across the state. He used the money to buy tools, but the library also has accepted donations such as chainsaws from Roberts Supply Co. in Springfield and three generators recently donated by the Upper McKenzie Fire Department.
Keith Spiering, the Milwaukee Tool territory manager for Oregon, said his company plans to donate at least one drill, impact driver and reciprocating saw to the library. Spiering said they have made similar donations across the state since the wildfires.
"I've lived in Oregon my whole life. I'm happy to help out with rebuilding wherever possible," Spiering said.
More large-scale cleanup to come
Though county- and state-led cleanup efforts are underway, the large-scale removal of ash and debris from burned down properties has not yet begun in the McKenzie River Valley.
Some are returning to places like Blue River with trailers, but Abel said he's so far mostly been lending out chainsaws, shovels, drills and other odds and ends.
But he expects that to change soon as the rain slackens and temperature rise.
"We haven't had a lot of lending action yet because the clean up hasn't really begun. It's starting to pick up now," Abel said. "This month is going to be the big change."
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FEMA direct-housing mission underway
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency recently approved a direct-housing mission for Lane County wildfire victims, which will provide transportable temporary units, direct leases, multi-family leases and repairs for those whose homes were burned.
FEMA direct housing missions previously did not included Lane County, though the county was asking for federal help. Linn, Marion, Lincoln and Jackson counties, where other fires had burned through the fall, had been approved for such housing assistance.
Abel's home and workshop in Blue River was among the many structures lost to the fire. Though his building is condemned, Abel said he intends to rebuild and remain in town.
He's committed himself to running the tool library for at least 18 months, but now expects that two years of operation will be closer to the mark to achieve the mission.
"We're more than well funded and with more than enough tools now," Abel said. "The support has been amazing. A lot of people want to help. A lot of people have helped."
This isn't the only Timber Unity fire recovery project Abel has helped out with, said Tasha Webb, the group's corresponding secretary and mining representative.
Abel picked up donated furniture from Salem, she said, and delivered it to Blue River. Abel helped set up a tiny home for a retired resident Blue River resident, which now is awaiting utility connection.
"He's gone above and beyond what he was initially asked to do," Webb said.
Help the tool library
Roberts Supply Co. is serving as a donation center for the Blue River Tool Library. Anyone who wants to donate tools or money can do so at 2842 Main St. in Springfield.
Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR.
The Link LonkFebruary 24, 2021 at 08:45PM
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Community donations lend assistance to Blue River Tool Library for Holiday Farm Fire cleanup - The Register-Guard
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