Slater Wildfire Recovery was founded in 2020 after Ashley Diaz, a mother of two, lost everything in the Slater Fire in Happy Camp, CA. Nestled in the Klamath National Forest, the rural, isolated Happy Camp community is home to many multigenerational residents, including the Karuk Tribe, who don’t want to leave, and don’t have the means to do so if they did. In a town already facing a housing shortage, the Slater Fire destroyed 212 homes – 38% of its housing – and approximately 70% were uninsured or underinsured. Slater Wildfire Recovery’s mission for the devastated community is to get homes rebuilt and the community resettled. The Slater Wildfire Recovery also seeks to help Siskiyou County residents impacted by the Slater Fire try to recover parts of so much that was lost.
Donations for Happy Camp wildfire victims.
Partnering with community leaders and organizations such as Happy Camp Community Center, Slater Fire Long Term Recovery Group, and the Karuk Tribe, Slater Wildlife Recovery works to assess unmet recovery needs in the community that still exist after initial federal assistance and community support have been distributed. It also offers case management for those still in need. In this wildfire-prone area, Slater Wildfire Recovery brings hope to their community and a plan to prevent future fires and loss.
Ashley Diaz, founder of Slater Wildlife Recovery.