Wildfire Recovery Spotlight: Ashley Podbreger

For Ashley Podbreger of Douglas County, standing in the kitchen of her own home and whipping up a batch of cupcakes feels like “something out of a dream.”

Podbreger, who owns a custom cake business, lost everything when the Archie Creek Fire swept through Douglas County in 2020.

Portrait of Ashley standing outside in front of trees

We only had about 10 minutes to grab everything we could,” Podbreger recalled. “My neighbor started pounding on our door, telling us the fire was on the other side of the hill. When I ran outside and saw the tree line, I knew we didn’t have much time.”

Podbreger and her two children, ages 15 and 8, rushed to throw whatever they could into laundry baskets before loading up the car.

“It’s still hard to look back on,” Podbreger said. “There we were with our pet bird in the front seat, my son riding his dirt bike beside the car, barreling down the road. The fire came from the east, and we just watched as it got our house from behind.”

Once Podbreger knew her family was safe and had somewhere to stay, the enormity of what had happened began to sink in.

“There was shock, and then so much sadness,” Podbreger said. “So much was lost forever. You just keep thinking, ‘What could I have grabbed if I’d only had 30 more seconds?’”

When Podbreger was able to return to her home, the only thing that had survived was a cast-iron cooking pan. She had lost not only her home, but also the keepsakes that belonged to her late mother and the mementos from her own childhood.

Over the next five years, Podbreger and her family moved from one challenging rental situation to another. While she was grateful to have a place to stay, the constant uncertainty was difficult, and she began to lose hope that she would own her own home.

That changed in the fall of 2025, when she learned about ReOregon’s Down Payment Assistance program through a recovery newsletter. The program provides forgivable loans to help cover down payment and closing costs for first-time homebuyers impacted by the 2020 wildfires.

Podbreger immediately applied and received enough assistance to cover the down payment on her 1,692-square-foot, three-bedroom home. She officially closed on the home in April 2026.

“It’s surreal,” Podbreger said. “I keep having to remind myself, ‘I’m a homeowner now. I’m a homeowner.’”

She has already started clearing the backyard to plant a garden filled with watermelon and zucchini, and her daughter finally has enough space to get the bearded dragon she has always wanted. More than anything, Podbreger loves the kitchen and is looking forward to baking again and getting her business, The Frosted Whisk, back up and running. First on her list is creating a custom cake for her grandson’s birthday.

“This is such a blessing. I never would have had this opportunity without the program,” Podbreger said. “Thank you. Just thank you.”

For more information about ReOregon’s Down Payment Assistance program and other recovery support, visit: re.oregon.gov or call the ReOregon Call Center at 877-510-6800 or 541-250-0938.

OHCS wants to ensure that everyone has access to its information and programs. If you would like this information/form/publication in a different language, please email Language.Access@hcs.oregon.gov.