The Pine Creek Community Long-Term Recovery Organization
On September 7, 2020 wildfires raged through northern Whitman County, Washington, fanned by wind gusts as high as 70 mph. The Babb Road Fire consumed more than 15,000 acres of Palouse farmland and habitat and engulfed the towns of Malden and Pine City, forcing nearly 200 residents to evacuate.
The fast-moving fire consumed the Town of Malden in 2 ½ hours, spewing briquette-sized embers and destroying 80% of the Town’s buildings, many down to their foundations. Among the rubble are the majority of homes and the town’s only post office, town hall, fire station, food bank, and library.
Eighty percent of the homes and buildings were burned, many down to their foundations, leaving the streets in rubble. The community was most fortunate that there was no loss of human life.
In the aftermath of the fire, community leaders came together to think about the future. How will we recover? How will we be better prepared for the next crisis?
The outcome of these conversations is the Pine Creek Community Restoration Long Term Recovery Organization (LTRO). The LTRO has been dedicated to learning about the impacts of the fire, securing resources to help individuals and families, and mapping a pathway to recovery.
Our Mission
The Pine Creek Community Restoration Long Term Recovery Organization is a 501(c)3 formed exclusively for the following charitable purposes for Malden, Pine City, and the surrounding areas in Whitman County, Washington, that were devastated by the Babb Road Fire on September 7, 2020:
- To provide coordinated management of the long-term recovery process after the disaster and provide relief to the distressed.
- To provide long-term assistance to qualified individuals affected by a disaster.
- To assist disaster survivors with preparedness and mitigation.
- To provide advocacy for people most vulnerable to having their needs overlooked in disaster recovery process.
- To do everything necessary, proper, convenient or incidental to the accomplishment of the mission of this corporation consistent with the Washington State Nonprofit Corporation Act, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Our 2024 Goals
Pine Creek Community Restoration Long Term Recovery Organization Strategic Goals Adopted by the Board of Directors on December 6, 2023
- Strengthen Collaboration with the Town of Malden
- Community Engagement
- Health and Well-Being
- Local Economy
- Resident Request program
- Community Center
- Pine City Memorial Dedication
- Create a Fundraising Plan
PCCRLTRO Board
Chandelle Frick, PCCRLTRO Executive Director
Christine Oakley, President
Scott Carlon, Vice President
John Lenz, Treasurer + Malden Council Liaison
Larry Frick, Board Member
Kim Heck, Board Member
Bob Law, Board Member
OPERATIONS TEAM — CONTRACTED
Terry Eng, Accountant
Robin Fahle Ohlgren, Communication and Outreach Specialist
OPERATIONS TEAM — VOLUNTEERS + AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES
Annica Eagle, Eastern Washington Regional Director, Washington State Department of Commerce
Scott Cooper, Director of Parish Social Ministries, Catholic Charities Eastern Washington
Matthew Gower, Behavioral Health Administrator, Washington State Health Care Authority
Jacquie Andresen, Contract Manager, Community Development Block Grant Program, Washington State Department of Commerce
Julia Havens, Community Engagement Managing Director, Washington State Department of Commerce
Micki Harnois, Clerk, Town of Malden
Dan Harwood, Mayor, Town of Malden
Jon Holmes, WA State Public Assistance/Emergency Management Division
Jeff Guyett, Director, Community Action Center
Paul Kimmell, Palouse Regional Business and Public Affairs Manager, Avista Corporation
Owen Rowe, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Jody Opheim, Grants Manager, Town of Malden
Scott Rivas, SCJ Alliance
Molly Sanchez, Innovia Foundation
Bill Tensfeld, Director, Whitman County Emergency Management
Gary Urbas, WA State Public Assistance/Emergency Management Division
Jennifer Wallace, Executive Director, Palouse Habitat for Humanity
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Send us a message if you need recovery assistance or have ideas about helping our community rebuild.
Tell us how we are doing. We want to hear from you.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 178, Malden WA 99149
Email: pccrltro@gmail.com | Tel: 509-939-6005
14 W. Moreland Avenue, Malden, WA