Connect with us

Uncategorized

Latter-Day Saints Unite, Rebuild After Devastating Oregon Wildfires

Published

on

 It has been a slow, difficult and emotional rebuilding process for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Medford, Oregon whose homes were destroyed by the devastating wildfires.

Despite the challenges, Latter-day Saints in the area have incredible hope, and have united together to rebuild as neighbors and as a community.

The first of two major wildfires in the Medford area broke out on Sept. 8.

The fires destroyed 2,483 homes and 173 commercial structures, leaving thousands of people homeless.

Volume 0%

MEDFORD, Ore. — It has been a slow, difficult and emotional rebuilding process for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Medford, Oregon whose homes were destroyed by the devastating wildfires.

Despite the challenges, Latter-day Saints in the area have incredible hope, and have united together to rebuild as neighbors and as a community.

The first of two major wildfires in the Medford area broke out on Sept. 8.

The fires destroyed 2,483 homes and 173 commercial structures, leaving thousands of people homeless.

A short 10- to 15-minute drive south of Medford puts you into neighborhoods that look apocalyptic, with everything turned into ash.

“Most of the fire personnel basically went into a lifesaving mode, where they were assisting with the evacuation more than actually fighting the fire, because it was spreading at a rate that you could not stop it,” said John Vile, emergency operations director for the Jackson County. “We ended up with three people perishing. That’s unfortunate, but frankly, that is a miracle.”

They lost 73 homes in the Bear Creek Ward alone. One of the families in that ward who lost everything was Misty Pantle, her three children and her sister Tammy Johnson.

Pantle said it was their dream home.

“We lost our entire home, everything that you can think of that’s normal in a home,” said Misty Pantle.

“When my dad passed away, I got to have some of his tools, so those have been rough to lose,” said an emotional Tammy Johnson.

Considering all that they lost, Misty, Tammy and their family said they feel very blessed to have a place to live — a three-bedroom apartment they managed to get into at a time when Medford was experiencing a severe housing shortage.

“Three hours after we found out our house was gone, we were offered this place,” said Tammy. “So we are feeling blessed.”

The apartment was used by college students over the years, so the carpet was trashed. Latter-day Saints jumped in to help.

“Our stake president stepped in and was able to get a flooring person in here. Many of the members helped put the flooring in for us,” said Misty.

Helping those who lost everything is still a 24/7 operation for the ward and stake. It’s all being played out inside a huge barn that belongs to Alison Allen, the compassion service leader in the Bear Creek Ward.

“Our barn has become a haven lately,” said Allen as she walked around the barn, showing all that had been donated by people in Oregon and across the country.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety4 hours ago

Woman who told a friend that her husband’s both chiIdren died the exact same way, after the 3-year-old stopped breathing while being forced to sit in a trash bag and her sibIing while sitting in the backseat of the vehicIe, was sentenced

Colorado – A Colorado woman was sentenced to two consecutive Iife terms without the possibiIity of paroIe on Wednesday, after being...

Crime & Safety4 hours ago

Woman told poIice she confronted her famiIy member to tell him to stop bothering her before she kiIIed the eIderIy man when he told her to get out of his sight and started waIking away from her; charged

Florida – A Florida woman was taken into custody earlier this week and charged with first-degree murder and discharging a...

Crime & Safety1 day ago

Man threw his girIfriend’s chiId out the door like a bag after the 5-year-old refused to do chores or waIk back and forth outside in the severe heat, causing him to Iose consciousness and later die at the hospitaI: DA

Nebraska – According to Nebraska authorities, a newIy fiIed search warrants have revealed detaiIs about the aIIeged abuse suffered by...

Crime & Safety1 day ago

Mon told poIice his girIfriend’s former spouse was foIIowing him and attempted to confront him on two separate occasions before he fataIIy stabed the man foIIowing a physicaI aItercation he cIaims the victim initiated; charged

Texas – A Texas man, 31-year-old J. Dogget, 31, was arrested earlier this week and charged with murder following the...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene opens 56 new permanent supportive housing units downtown at Bridges on Broadway to serve residents experiencing chronic homelessness

Eugene, OR – Eugene has added 56 new units of permanent supportive housing to help residents experiencing chronic homelessness. Homes...

Eugene5 days ago

License plate reader alert leads Eugene Police to arrests after early-morning attempted vehicle break-ins

Eugene, OR – On August 22 at 3:01 a.m., a license plate reader camera alerted Eugene Police officers to a...

Eugene5 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire deployed resources to Flat Fire near Sisters, supporting Lane County task forces

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) deployed two brush engines to the Flat Fire near Sisters as part of...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

SchooI counseIor who encouraged the minor student she was indcently assauIting for years to hide the lnappropriate reIationship by telling the girl, “If she tells anyone, she will take her own life,” was charged

Colorado – A Colorado schooI counseIor was taken into custody last week and is now facing multiple felony charges related to...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Man who kiIIed his girIfriend carrying their unborn baby several days after the victim told her sister that he threw her on the floor, strangIed her, and if anything happened to her, it was because of him, was charged

Massachusetts – A Massachusetts man has been arrested and charged with the murder of his girIfriend, K. Montero. The young...

Eugene1 week ago

Red Flag Warning issued for Southern Willamette Valley Thursday afternoon

Eugene, OR – A Red Flag Warning has been issued from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 21, for...

Eugene1 week ago

Eugene Police SWAT assists federal firearms trafficking investigation

Eugene, OR – Just after 6 a.m. on August 19, 2025, Eugene Police SWAT provided assistance to the Bureau of...

Trending