TYGH VALLEY, Ore. — In the wake of the Larch Creek Fire, a small farm stand in Tygh Valley is giving away their produce free of charge to any firefighters, first responders or anyone displaced.
Elizabeth Unti has been running Tygh Creek Sustainable Farm Stand for three years now, a small but cool shed full of fresh fruits, vegetables and meat.
But since the Larch Creek Fire started Tuesday afternoon, she’s left the shed unlocked, leaving her products free for anyone to take who may have been displaced or who are helping fight the fire that has now reached over 14,000 acres.
"We’ve helped provide produce to people to make food for the firefighters; we’ve made some food for the firefighters," Uniti said. "The whole community has just come out in spades. As far as any of this stuff goes, I hope what you see here can all go to use however it can be used to make sure those people on the front lines are getting fed."
Unti said the farm stand will remain free until fire crews are sent home, adding that she’s thankful for the tight-knit community, which is also bringing food to the two evacuee shelters at South Wasco County High School and Wy'East Middle School in Hood River.
Unti said she hopes people displaced can stay positive during this tough time.
“it’s just a really remarkable thing to see how despite how different we are, we all are pretty much the same and want the best for each other,” she said.
The Larch Creek Fire has burned 14,267 acres, officials said Saturday. It is 3% contained.