An Ad-Hoc meeting was held on Monday July 31 at Meeting Place at Burney Presbyterian Church to discuss what further things the intermountain area can do to aid the victims of the Carr Fire.
Ad Hoc Meeting at the Meeting Place at BPC
According to Cal Fire Incident Information on the Carr Fire as of Tuesday, July 31, the fire has burned 110,154 acres. In addition, 884 residences, 4 commercial structures, and 348 outbuildings have been destroyed and 169 residences, 5 commercial structures and 51 outbuildings have been damaged. As of Tuesday morning the fire was 27% contained.
Thirty-eight thousand people have been displaced. There are several evacuation Centers including Shasta College, Simpson University, Cross Point Community Church in Redding, Trinity High School in Weaverville, and Foothill High School in Palo Cedro.
(For latest information on the Carr Fire and other California Fires see CAL FIRE California Statewide Map).
In cooperation with Fred Gideon of the American Red Cross, The Meeting Place at Burney Presbyterian Church has been helping to collect emergency supplies for evacuees. A collection center for donations was set up at the church.
Donations at BPC – photo courtesy of The Meeting Place at BPC
Many people volunteered at the donation center and enough donations were given by the community to deliver 3 truckloads to the Cottonwood Community Center Distribution on July 30,2018. The Cottonwood Community Center receives donations and then sorts them by evacuation center needs and sends them where they are needed.
Ready to deliver a truck load of supplies – photo courtesy of The Meeting Place at BPC
Pastors Penni and Tim Scarbrough helped to oversee organization of activities. Elizabeth Tyler took charge of factual updates and media outreach. Tanya Taylor, Amber Mayhew, Michelle Kelley, Kim Filley, Charla Connelley, Kimberly Michelle, Karin Erickson, Carrie Wade, River Marcks, Jennifer Frolich, and Ann Johnson volunteered to staff the collection center. Matt Adkins, Candi Ticker, Alissa Tereba volunteered to drive the trucks to the distribution center.
Donations are still being collected. According to the Salvation Army what is most needed are new pillows, new blankets, shoes, sunscreen, paper products, towels, bottled water, diapers, baby food, new children’s clothing, new adult size shirts, socks, underwear, and baby wipes.
Monetary donations can be made to the American Red Cross 1-800-733-2767 (http://www.redcross.org), and Shasta Regional Foundation Disaster Relief Fund 530-244-2207 (http://www.shastarcf.org/funds/cdrf). Donations to house small animals can be made to Haven Humane 530-241-1653 (http://www.havenhumane.org).
The meeting on Tuesday was attended by Burney Fire Chief Monte Keady, Natalie Forrest and Russell Elek from the Pit River Tribe, Judy Jacoby, Manager of Pit River Health Clinic, Keith Topaum, acting liason for Carr Fire incident for Pit River Health Clinic, Elizabeth Tyler from Burney Disposal, Lisa Barry from Shasta County Health and Human Services, Rev. Tim Scarbrough, Sandra Jensen, Jill Barnett, and Michael Kerns. Pastor Penni Scarbrough facilitated the meeting.
Representatives from Pit River Tribe and the Pit River Health Center said that many tribal members living in Redding have been displaced and have come to stay with families in the Intermountain area. A temporary shelter has been set up at the health center to provide referral, temporary emergency shelter, food, and medical services.
Elizabeth Tyler, speaking on behalf of Rev. Ken Frazier said that WOLA can provide showers and shelter in the gym for people displaced by the fire.
Chief Keady recommended that the group continue to meet in order to continue to assist long-term recovery.
In addition to discussing efforts to help Carr Fire victims the group also discussed developing a plan for the Intermountain area to provide for emergency relief and assistance in case there were a major fire in the Intermountain area.
Rev. Scarbrough said that Fred Gideon from the Red Cross asked the group (1) to develop a resource manual for the area, (2) to develop a volunteer data base, and (3) to compile a list of home owners in the area that would be willing to provide temporary refuge for displaced fire victims. Those in attendance said that they would Email Penni relevant information on the above items so that Tim and Penni can put all of the information into a binder and develop a manual.
For more information on how you can help call Penni Scarbrough at 530-524-2944.
Pit River Country 