Off Grid On Fire
High in the Oregon mountains, far from the bustle of Portland, lives a community that’s off the grid—no city water, no power lines, and no formal addresses. When the 2021 Bootleg Fire struck as the second-largest fire in the state of Oregon’s history, traditional aid couldn’t reach them.
But compassion did.
Meet vibrant residents of this remote community, like Valerie Bowen, who hauls her own water, and Jeff Whitter, who now has a 275-gallon tank thanks to Tzu Chi support. With no FEMA assistance possible, Tzu Chi volunteers have worked together with Valerie O’Dai of the Relief Angels to ensure that those living off the grid find help in areas of care, relief, and dignity.
We follow the stories of those who lost their homes, their food, their animals, but who refuse to lose their way of life.
Credits
Director & Editor: Daniel Ferrara
Director of Photography: Sarah Rattay-Maloney
Featuring: Michelle Liang, Valerie Bowen, Alice Ray, Leonard Ray, Terry Miller, Jeff Whitted, Mike Clark, Les Barrington
Special Thanks: Valerie O’Dai
Colorist: Stephen Derluguian
Re-Record Mixer: Michael LaFerla
Music: “Heavenly” by Jon Gegelman. Artlist.io, “Passing Hours” by Jupiter Sands. Artlist.io, “Ripples” by Palm Blue. Artlist.io, “The River Brethen” by Doug Kaufman. Artlist.io
Additional Footage: Valerie O’Dai, Relief Angels, Klamath Falls News, Inciweb, Inciweb - Bootleg Fire Air Attack, Inciweb - PIO Jacob Welsh, Inciweb - PIO J Mike Johnson
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