Category: Fires

ACS Disaster Response continues to provide relief to those who have been affected by the tragic fires in the Pacific Northwest. The North Pacific Union Conference and Oregon Conference ACS leaders have secured two Warehouses in Oregon. A team of ACS DR volunteers from the South Central Conference have arrived to start work at the Warehouse in Salem. Prior to their arrival, they visited a couple of the Distribution Sites in Lincoln City which are essential to get supplies out to the community. Since Oregon has never experienced a disaster of this magnitude, we were asked by the State if they could accompany the team to Lincoln City to educate the locals on how to set up a Distribution Site. We also have a team from the Rocky Mountain Conference who started operations today at the Warehouse in Grants Pass. These individuals will train local teams in Management Operations enabling them to operate on their own and to be able to function solely with local support.

We are in communication with the ACS leadership of the Northern California and Central California conferences who are engaged in the relief efforts in response to the numerous deadly fires that have caused extensive damage and evacuation of a number of communities in various areas of the State. Some of these areas are heavily populated by Seventh-day Adventists, and we will continue to support the efforts on the ground as the situation develops. Additionally, our Florida Conference is now responding to those affected by Hurricane Sally by opening a Warehouse in Pensacola, Florida.

Let us continue to remember those who have been affected by these disasters, as well as those who are responding to them.

ACS Disaster Response Teams are assisting with the Recovery Efforts in response to the deadly wildfires in California that have burned more than 3 million acres of land, and the most recent Pacific Northwest fires that have destroyed hundreds of homes in Oregon. Through the leadership of the Pacific Union Conference and Central California Conference and in collaboration with Fresno County, a campground has been secured to offer temporary shelter for evacuees. Almost 1,500 people have been put up in ACS DR trailers, cabins, and RVs that are being utilized to house those who have been affected. In addition, we were also able to provide Emotional & Spiritual Care training on the campground to those who were interested.

The Oregon ACS Disaster Team is currently on the ground providing assistance to those who have been affected. The Oregon Conference has opened up their Gladstone Park campground to evacuees in RVs. Volunteers are guiding community members into the evacuation spaces. Andy Villanueva, Oregon Conference Disaster Response Director said, “You can see the relief come over people.”

With countless fires ranging around California, the Northwest, and Oregon, let us continue to keep those who are affected and the first responders in prayer during these trying times.

California Fires Update – November 27

The California fires this year have been declared as the deadliest fires in the history of the State. Even though the Southern California Woolsey fire and the Paradise Camp Fire in Northern California have been completely contained, they have left several individuals, families, and communities in crisis.

Charlene Sargent, Pacific Union Conference ACS Director, and her Team have been leading out in the Recovery Efforts in both Northern and Southern California. They are currently positioned at the Operations Center, where they are meeting the needs of those affected by providing shelter and other necessities. All of the counties affected by the fires are utilizing only local assistance. Volunteers from outside the affected counties are asked not to deploy at this time. The North American Division ACS is working with ACS personnel in the California conferences on providing financial support for the purchase of kitchen kits.

If you wish to donate to the Recovery Efforts in Northern or Southern California, please click here: NCC Paradise Camp Fire, SCC Disaster Relief Fund Woolsey Fire.

Please continue to pray for the survivors and responders of these devastating fires.

The camp fire that started in Butte County, Northern California, last Thursday (November 8) spread rapidly moving into the town of Paradise and surrounding areas. The Fire which has destroyed 125,000 acres of land and taken the lives of over 40 people still continue to rage. Several homes, schools, churches, and hospitals have been decimated. The Feather River Adventist Hospital was able to safely evacuate patients and transfer them to other facilities before being damaged. Two Adventist churches and a section of the Paradise Academy campus were burned down. The Paradise SDA Church has a membership of 1500 with a high school adjacent to the church. The Magalia Upper Ridge SDA Church has 150 members. The Fire which has pretty much devastated the towns of Paradise and Magalia in Northern California is considered to be the deadliest in the history of California.

The Northern California ACS Disaster Response Team, led by Jim Oliver, has been working diligently to help those in crisis in response to the recent Camp fire. Texas ACS Directors, Marshall and Julie Gonzales, are also lending their support to the Relief Efforts. Our churches in Oroville and Chico have opened their doors to evacuees. The Chico SDA Church has been approved by American Red Cross (ARC) as a shelter, but right now is assisting the victims with blankets, towels, toiletries, clothes, and etc. Residents are able to stay at other Sunday churches in Chico that are set up as shelters with the ARC. Southern California is also experiencing fires, as well. The Woolsey Fire has affected Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Our Pacific Union DR Coordinator Charlene Sargent and her Team are on the ground managing the situation there.

Please pray for the families who have lost loved ones, and for the safety of the survivors and responders.

Click here to help with the Northern California Paradise Fire relief.

Click here to help with the Southern California Woolsey Fire relief.

As the temperatures increase nationwide, so are crisis events in some of our communities around the Division. Wildfires have been raging across the Western States for the past few months. At present, one of the most volatile areas is in Northern California. Fire Departments have reported challenges attempting to extinguish wildfires that have increased over time. In Redding, where several homes have sustained severe damage, only around 35% of the fire has been contained. Jim Oliver, our Northern California Conference ACS DR Coordinator, expressed concern for some of those that reside in this area as he is still out of his home from the impact of last year’s fire destructive fire. Lodging has been secured for those that have been forced out of their homes. Jim is checking with all our local area churches to ascertain what type of support we can offer to those affected by these ravaging forces. While no Warehousing needs have been requested by the County nor State, Jim has teams on standby should a need arise for management of a Warehouse. Additionally, NCC also stands ready to provide shelter to those in need as we have provided training to seven area churches within the Conference in Sheltering earlier this year. At present, the Conference is highlighting the need for financial support in lieu of donated goods.

Northern California is not the only Western State being affected by fires. Oregon is also experiencing dry weather which has led to wildfires. Laura Pascoe, our Oregon Conference ACS Coordinator, has been in contact with State officials. Though the fires have not been as devastating to the community, Laura and her team are on standby should the need arise. Washington State is also dry this time of year and reports have identified a couple of wildfires that the local ACS DR Team is keeping an eye on. The Lake Region Conference has set up and is managing a Warehouse and Distribution Center in Mt. Prospect, IL after a six-story building complex sustained major fire and water damage. Our lead Debra Davis-Moody and her Team is managing this operation.