Mammoth Lakes, CA – January 30, 2026
For Immediate Release

Out of the ashes: A local community, and support from far beyond, rallies after the McGee Creek Pack Fire.

Following the McGee Creek Pack Fire that ignited on November 13, 2025, near Crowley Lake in Mono County, the Mammoth Lakes community rallied to support those impacted by the fast-moving wildfire. While the fire did not directly burn within the Town of Mammoth Lakes, many of the people in the affected households work in Mammoth Lakes, or own and operate local businesses, and have children attending schools in town, creating a strong connection to the community.

The day after the fire, on Friday, November 14, the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce activated the McGee Creek Pack Fire Relief Fund through its nonprofit arm, the Mammoth Community Foundation (MCF). MCF became the official, centralized hub for community support efforts and local resources on a dedicated webpage curated by Chamber staff. Within hours of launching the fund, the Chamber and Mammoth Community Foundation communicated widely through coordinated outreach and social media, ensuring the community knew there was a trusted, centralized place to give. That early communication played a critical role in building momentum and driving the scale of financial support that followed. Businesses across the area also promptly stepped forward with generous offers of assistance.

As the fire continued to make headlines over that first weekend, word of the relief effort spread rapidly through social media and community networks. Donations poured in from across Mono County and throughout California. Almost five percent of contributions came from outside the state, including support from New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Minnesota. The response reflected how deeply the story resonated far beyond Mono County.

Through the Mammoth Community Foundation, the Pack Fire Relief Fund raised $226,880 in donations and more than $11,000 in donated gift cards. These funds were distributed to 24 families impacted by the fire, each receiving just under $10,000 in direct financial support. Contributions included $10,000 from MCF, $10,000 from Ormat Technologies, and a $50,000 matching contribution from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, made possible through a joint fundraising campaign supported by the community.

MCF worked closely with local partners to ensure coordinated assistance. The Mono County Office of Education organized and collected the donated gift cards, while the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation (MMCF) activated housing-related support and was the lead in short and long-term housing solutions for displaced community members. MMCF Executive Director Tom Bissell, a member of the Chamber’s Nonprofit Coalition, played a key role in helping these households navigate complex housing needs during an already overwhelming time.

“The response to the McGee Creek Pack Fire was a powerful reminder of what this community is capable of when we come together. Local nonprofits, businesses, and residents stepped up immediately—offering housing, essential goods, services, and support—showing that even in moments of loss, the strength of our community carries us forward. Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, alongside Mammoth Community Foundation and the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, activated our nonprofit coalition to better coordinate relief efforts and serve our community in a time of need.” Tom Bissell, Executive Director, MMCF.

The first round of checks and gift cards was handed out in mid-December 2025, with a second round distributed in mid-January 2026. These moments were deeply emotional for the people who had lost homes, stability, and a sense of normalcy. For Chamber staff, hearing each story of loss underscored the weight of what their neighbors were carrying and the importance of meeting that moment with care, dignity, and compassion. The distributions highlighted the critical role the Mammoth Community Foundation and the Chamber play as trusted community anchors in times of crisis.

“We are so grateful for our Mammoth community,” shared the Brode family. “We have always loved this community and are so proud to be a part of it. The love and support shown to us during this disaster has been unprecedented. There are far too many to thank but know that each and every one of you is deeply appreciated and in our prayers. Thank you to the Mammoth Community Foundation for organizing and distributing much-needed funds. We are excited to move forward, rebuild, come back stronger, and support our Mammoth family in the future.”

“Being displaced by the Pack Fire felt like starting over at square one when I moved here 26 years ago,” said Peter Clark. “The logistics were daunting. The Mammoth Community Foundation’s support was so helpful and uplifting getting me situated for the winter so my high school-aged children could continue school, and I could keep working without interruption. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and loyalty to our community and to MCF, and I hope to pay it forward.”

“Due to the Pack Fire, our family found ourselves in need of help. The Mammoth Community Foundation was incredibly kind, responsive, and truly supportive during one of the most painful and uncertain times in our lives,” shared the Forte family. “Their compassion and the generosity of the community meant more to us than words can express, and we are deeply grateful to the Mammoth Community Foundation who supported us and our McGee community during our time of despair.”

When the Pack Fire tore through our community, everything happened so fast,” said Andrea Walker. “What could have been chaotic was instead met with clarity, organization, and compassion through the Mammoth Community Foundation. From the very beginning, MCF stepped in to coordinate fundraising, communicate clearly, and connect those who wanted to help with those who desperately needed it. Having a trusted, deeply community-minded organization step up made an immeasurable difference.”

“The support and generosity my family has received has been truly amazing and overwhelming in the best ways possible,” said Elizabeth McGuire. “We are so incredibly grateful to MCF and the Chamber for their efforts, coordination, and outreach during such a trying time. Feeling the love from the community has truly been a silver lining during such a trying time.”

“The checks and gift cards were a life raft,” said Ray Turner. “The first few months after the fire were incredibly confusing. The support upfront made a real difference, and I cannot thank the Mammoth Community Foundation enough.”

Brianna Goico, Executive Director of the Mammoth Community Foundation and President & CEO of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the effort.

“This experience was heartbreaking and, at the same time, deeply meaningful,” said Goico. “To witness the generosity, care, and heart shown by this community, and by people far beyond our region, was incredibly moving. Clear and timely communication helped people understand how to show up and where to direct their support, and once that message was out, the momentum and generosity that followed were extraordinary. Helping those, whose lives were turned upside down by the fire, take their first steps toward rebuilding is something we will never forget.”

The Mammoth Community Foundation extends its sincere thanks to every donor, partner, business, and community member who showed up in the days and weeks following the Pack Fire. Out of the ashes of loss, a response rooted in generosity, heart, and collective care emerged, reminding us that even in tragedy, the strength of both local and far-reaching community support can help light the way forward.

# # #