Funding what comes next: Equitable recovery after record-breaking wildfires
1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 5 p.m. GMT
The 2026 wildfire season is breaking records, devastating communities across North America. In Washington, the Spokane Complex Fires have forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes and other structures, making this one of the state’s most destructive wildfire events.
In Oregon, wildfires continue to expand with more than 2.4 million acres burned. The scale of the devastation—and its impact on densely populated communities—highlights the growing scope and complexity of wildfire impacts.
Yet, history shows that the greatest challenges often begin when fires are extinguished, when communities face years of recovery, and those with the fewest resources encounter the greatest obstacles to rebuilding.
Join the Center for Disaster Philanthropy for a crisis briefing examining how philanthropy can support equitable, locally-led recovery following the 2026 wildfire season. Drawing on lessons from previous wildfires and insights from the current response, speakers will explore emerging community needs and impacts that can persist long after the flames are extinguished, including housing instability, health and environmental concerns, economic disruption, and challenges that can deepen existing inequities.
Panelists will discuss the different ways funders can approach wildfire funding to help rural and Indigenous communities recover and build resilience for what comes next.
CDP’s Sarah Lackritz, Vice President of Brand and Storytelling, will facilitate the conversation with the following panelists:
- Cari Cullen, CDP’s Program Officer, Domestic Funds
- Carlene Anders, Executive Director of the Okanogan County Long Term Recovery Group (OCLTRG) and Executive Director of the Disaster Leadership Team (DLT)
Additional speakers will be added as confirmed.
Accessibility
Automatic closed captioning will be available via Zoom.
CDP desires to provide accessible webinars. Please email webinars@disasterphilanthropy.org by Aug. 24 and let us know what accommodation you need to fully participate in the webinar. We will do our best to meet your needs as feasible.