Vilcabamba Fire Relief: Fighting & Rebuilding

Hello, my name is Alan D'Amore. I'm raising funds to support the ongoing firefighting efforts in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, where devastating wildfires are rapidly destroying parts of the Podocarpus National Park and surrounding communities.

Our goal is to provide essential supplies, food, and tools for the brave, unnamed heroes volunteering tirelessly day and night, as well as to help rebuild homes and farms lost to the flames.

For the past five days, devastating wildfires have been ravaging the Vilcabamba region of Ecuador, tearing through parts of the sacred Podocarpus National Park and surrounding communities. Homes and farms have been completely destroyed, with many more currently in the path of the advancing flames. The fires have consumed thousands of hectares, including vital farmland and forested areas, leaving behind a charred landscape that once thrived with life.

In the face of this tragedy, it’s the unnamed heroes of Vilcabamba who are leading the charge. These volunteers — neighbors, locals, expats, and everyday people — have come together without hesitation. They’re out on the frontlines day and night, often working through the night with only the bare essentials. Equipped with little more than machetes, "bate fuego" fire beaters, and sheer determination, they’re risking their lives to protect not only their own homes and land but also that of their neighbors.

Despite their tireless efforts, they are facing significant challenges. The volunteers urgently need supplies: gloves, headlamps, eye protection, protective clothing, boots, face and neck protection, food, and water. With every passing hour, the need grows as the fires continue to spread. There are moments of incredible bravery, like small groups of volunteers venturing deep into the forest to make a stand against the flames, or when hundreds of community members rush to the scene, united by a shared sense of purpose and love for their land.

The official response has been slow. The volunteers are always the first to arrive, often followed by firefighters, and only when there’s significant public pressure, the military may assist. Yet, in reverse order, they’re the first to leave. Volunteers remain long after, refusing to abandon their posts. The process of securing helicopter aid has been complicated and costly — a single day of support costs upwards of $20,000 USD, making it difficult to secure the consistent help needed from the skies.

The fires have left a trail of heartbreak and devastation. Just last night, several families stood helplessly as they watched their homes and farms burn to the ground in the Podocarpus area. These homes, often simple structures made from wood or adobe, are now reduced to ashes. The damage extends beyond homes — entire coffee plantations, fruit trees, sacred medicine plants have been destroyed, robbing families of both their shelter and their livelihoods.

The fires are not just taking homes and farmland; they are also tearing through the heart of Podocarpus National Park, a sacred area known for its ancient, old-growth forests. These are irreplaceable ecosystems, home to countless species of plants and animals found nowhere else on earth. As the flames consume these ancient trees, we’re losing centuries of growth in a matter of minutes.

The impact on wildlife is devastating. Many animals — from birds and reptiles to mammals — are losing their habitats and, tragically, their lives. The forest floor, once alive with the sounds of nature, is now eerily silent, covered in ash. The loss of these vital ecosystems will be felt for years to come, affecting the delicate balance of this unique environment.

Our goal with this campaign is twofold: to support the brave volunteers with the essential supplies they need to continue fighting the fires, and to help rebuild the homes and farms of those who have lost everything. The funds will be allocated as follows:

40% for essential firefighting supplies (gloves, boots, protective gear, tools, food, and water).

30% for immediate relief and support for affected families (temporary shelter, food, and basic needs).

30% for rebuilding homes and restoring farms once the fires are under control.

In moments like these, the true spirit of Vilcabamba shines through. It’s a place where neighbors aren’t just neighbors — they’re family. Whether local or expat, everyone comes together with a shared respect for the land and a commitment to protect one another. There’s an unspoken bond here, a sense of unity that’s palpable when you see people working shoulder-to-shoulder, backs against the wall, yet facing forward with hope and determination.

We need your help to continue this fight and to start the long process of healing and rebuilding. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference. It buys a meal for a volunteer who hasn’t left their post in hours, a pair of gloves for someone digging in the ash, or materials to help a family rebuild their home.

Together, we can rise from these ashes. Together, we can be the support these unnamed heroes need.

Join us. Stand with Vilcabamba.

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Who I Am:

My name is Alan D'Amore, a resident of Vilcabamba, Ecuador, originally from São Paulo, Brazil. I am a community member who has witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by these fires and the incredible bravery of those risking their lives to protect our land and neighbors.

Where I'm From:

I currently live in Vilcabamba, Ecuador, a place known for its beautiful landscapes and strong, united community. This region is home to the stunning Potocarpus National Park, an area now under severe threat from the ongoing wildfires.

My Relationship to the Parties Involved:

I am a local resident, part of the expat community, and have close ties with both local families and fellow expats who have lost their homes, farms, and livelihoods. I have been in direct contact with the volunteers, firefighters, and affected families, working closely with them to understand their immediate needs and how best to support them.

How the Funds Will Be Spent:

I will ensure that every dollar raised goes directly to where it’s needed most. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how we plan to allocate the funds:

40% for firefighting supplies: Essential items such as gloves, headlamps, eye protection, protective clothing, boots, face and neck protection, "bate fuego" fire beaters, food, and water for the volunteers and firefighters.

30% for immediate relief: This portion will go towards providing temporary shelter, food, and basic necessities for families who have lost their homes and farms in the fires.

30% for rebuilding efforts: These funds will help families begin to rebuild their adobe homes and restore farmland that has been destroyed, with a focus on providing building materials and support for replanting crops like coffee, mangoes, and avocados.

I will be updating this page regularly with photos, stories, and receipts to ensure complete transparency and accountability. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact in our fight against the fires and the long road to rebuilding our community.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE EXCEED OUR GOAL

Reaching our goal would be incredible, but the need doesn’t end there. Wildfires are unpredictable, and the dry season is far from over. If we surpass our target, here’s how we plan to use any extra donations:

Extended Support for Volunteers and Firefighters:

Additional funds will go toward replenishing supplies for volunteers and firefighters who remain on the frontlines. This includes replacing worn-out protective gear, providing more food and water, and ensuring they have everything they need to stay safe as the fires continue.

Ongoing Relief for Affected Families:

Any excess donations will help us support more families who may lose their homes or farms in the coming days. We will provide temporary shelter, food, and basic necessities to ensure no one is left without help.

Future Fire Preparedness Fund:

A portion of the additional funds will be set aside to create a Fire Preparedness Fund for Vilcabamba. This fund will allow us to quickly mobilize resources for future fire emergencies, including pre-purchasing essential supplies like protective clothing, "bate fuego" fire beaters, and emergency food and water.

UPDATE 11/18/24: Gratitude and Next Steps

First and foremost, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and shared this fundraiser!

We have already raised over $7,000. Your incredible support has lifted the spirits of our firefighters and volunteers and is about to make a real difference on the ground — both immediately and in the long term. This includes much-needed firefighting and safety equipment, emergency preparedness, food, water, medical supplies, and the capacity for quick response and coordination among key people and groups.

Our plan is to withdraw and start disbursing funds as quickly and responsibly as possible. GoFundMe has a standardized withdrawal process, so we are currently waiting for the funds to become available.

Within the first 24 hours of launching this campaign, we assembled a dedicated Core Team of experienced individuals local to Vilcabamba to ensure fair and accurate assessment of the various funding needs. The Core Team includes veteran Ecuadorian volunteer firefighter leaders on the frontlines, expats newer to Vilcabamba, and long-term expats with 15+ years in the community. As of today, the Core Team is actively identifying, quantifying, and liaising with groups and individuals directly involved in fighting the fires — working tirelessly around the clock.

This information-gathering and forward-planning, through trusted and responsible individuals already on the ground, is the ONLY way to ensure the most effective use of your generous donations once they are available for disbursal. We’re aware that there is potential for fraudulent activity, but our Core Team is skilled and experienced in navigating these challenges to avoid any traps or scams.

We ask for your patience during this process. Rest assured, everyone involved with this fundraiser is moving heaven and earth at light speed — some are even fighting fires before returning to manage logistics and planning. It’s exhausting, it’s stressful, and many are running on empty. If we don’t respond immediately to requests or comments online, please understand that our priority is to support the volunteers and firefighters risking their lives daily in almost unimaginable conditions.

We’ve become aware of another GoFundMe campaign by the Hofmann Family, focused on supporting the El Bosque Reserve - which has also faced significant fire damage. You can find it here: El Bosque Wildfire Relief Fundraiser. We view this as another group stepping up to take responsibility and act for the benefit of the broader community, not as competition. While we aren’t coordinating efforts directly, we fully support their initiative, and some of the funds from this campaign may overlap to help El Bosque as well.

This fundraiser will be updated with a progress summary again soon. In the meantime, thank you once again for your incredible generosity, positivity, and patience. The residents of Vilcabamba and the surrounding valleys thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With gratitude,

Team Awesome

FORMAL COLLABORATION ANNOUNCEMENT

19th November 2024

This is a short update to let everyone know that we just met with the Hofmann family (principals of the "El Bosque" GoFundMe campaign: Fundraiser by Melinda Hofmann : El Bosque Wildfire Relief Fund, for nature and people) ... and had a very productive meeting regarding collaboration pertaining to all aspects of the objectives of each of our respective (Vilcabamba/San-Pedro) GoFundMe bushfire-relief campaigns. For those of you who may be unfamiliar, the Hoffmans are a four-generation, expat family to the Vilcabamaba area. They have worked tirelessly for decades to create an eco-reserve not-for-profit Foundation that protects 5,000 acres of some of the world's most pristine nature… that is critical to the health and vitality of this Andes region.

Given San Pedro town abuts Vilcabamba town, there will inevitably be some "crossover" in terms of how and where funds need to be best allocated ... and the vast experience, local knowledge and personal/professional networks of the long-established and respected Hofmann family … will prove invaluable both in terms of pinpointing worthy funding recipients, but also by ensuring we avoid any traps, scams, or otherwise shady operators.

In closing, as noted in the previous update, the "El Bosque" fund-raiser has our full support ... and we look forward to collaborating with the Hofmanns and doing the best job possible to effectively use donated funds to bring aid, assistance and relief to those many people affected by this catastrophic series of bushfires.

The people of Vilcabamba again send a huge thank-you to all you donors ... you are the best ... and we obviously could not do what we're doing … without your incredible generosity.

Best wishes to all, and ciao for now!