Published: Oct 13, 2025 4:03am PT
Haleigh Kochanski
Eugene Register-Guard

Weyerhaeuser announced Oct. 7 that it’s donating 38 acres of rural land in Disston to a local nonprofit that supports the Row River Rural Fire Protection District.

The land will house the organization’s new emergency substation with the goal of improving wildfire response times in the area.

Weyerhaeuser officials said the donation follows a $25,000 grant the company awarded to Oregon non-profit Row River Fire Response, now known as the Row River Valley Community Partnership, in 2023 to support costs for the new fire facility. The new substation will be a satellite fire station equipped with a fire truck and water tender. Emergency response times are expected to improve for residents in Dorena, Culp Creek and surrounding areas.

Row River Fire Response Executive Director Kathleen Istudor said the land donation provides more than just infrastructure for the community.

“It gives our firefighters the resources to respond quickly and gives our community much-needed protection,” Istudor said. “With wildfire risk on the rise and many neighbors living on limited means, this donation will help us ensure no one is left behind in a time of crisis.”

The RRFR provides support for fire and emergency services in the Row River Valley, a rural area east of Cottage Grove that experiences high wildfire risk each summer and historically has not had rapid access to city fire department services, according to a news release from Weyerhaeuser.

Weyerhaeuser land use manager Lyndcy Patrick said thriving and resilient communities are vital to the well-being of Oregon residents.

“By supporting organizations like RRFR, Weyerhaeuser can make a real difference in wildfire response and help ensure these first responders can keep our communities and forests healthy,” Patrick said.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Weyerhaeuser donates 38 acres of land to improve rural fire response