Many Santiam Canyon residents who lost their homes in the 2020 wildfires are still waiting to rebuild their lives.

Some like Diana McGuire, who lives near Highway 22 and the Santiam River, returned to their home in ruins.

She and her husband once had a workshop, thriving garden, chicken coop and 1936 home.

"It was our little bit of heaven," McGuire said.

But when the Beachie Creek Fire swept through the region, all that remained was her barn and chicken coop. Everything else was a loss.

"It was totally burnt down," she said.

The stress of losing their home took its toll on her husband. He died four months later, just after the couple was able to design a new home to rebuild.

Since October 2020, McGuire's been living in an RV on her land while construction on her home is underway. The cramped quarters meant she had no place to store the feed for her chickens who miraculously survived the blaze, her canning tools to use once her garden is back and her other belongings.

More:Over 1,500 structures, including 700 homes destroyed by Beachie Creek and Lionshead Fires

Just as she was debating giving up the chickens, she was gifted a shed constructed by local volunteers and members of the Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia chapter.

The shed is one of 65 given to people who lost their homes in the fire.

The shed build project began in February 2021 with a local church intending to build 10 sheds.

But as the need increased and more groups got involved, the effort flourished. So far 65 sheds have been built with the goal to reach 80 by the end of May. Work will restart later this year.

Bill Smith, with Parker, Smith and Feek and AGC, said the building picked up after Blazer Industries donated warehouse space in Stayton to assemble and paint the structures. On Saturday, volunteers hammered, built and painted inside the warehouse.

Smith said supply chain issues have meant that each shed, which once cost $1,400 to build, now costs $4,000. Funded by donations and volunteer work, the sheds are given to wildfire survivors.

McGuire's shed now rests where her husband's garage and machine shop once was. She had it painted in the same mint green shade with bright green trim that she wants to paint her house.

On her property, the sounds of clucking chickens and the rushing river fill the air. Some of the trees are regrowing. Pots house the plants for her future garden. Her new home is being built to accommodate her many kids, grandkids and, as of recently, one great-grandkid.

She said the shed has been vital for helping her re-establish her sense of ownership and peace at home.

"It instills hope," she said.

The shed also keeps her belongings safe from would-be thieves who've taken to frequenting wildfire victims' homes in the canyon.

McGuire said she was grateful for the volunteers and said the need for the sheds remained in the community.

"It's a godsend," she said. "I don't know what I would have done without it."

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth.