More than a dozen wildfires have been burning across Colorado and parts of Utah and California in recent weeks, leaving a path of destruction that includes nearly 300 homes and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that firefighters appear to have gained the upper hand in most of the fires.
Stewardship season was in full swing at Healdsburg (California) Community Church last fall when tragedy struck. Raging wildfires in Sonoma County wiped out vast residential areas within 20 miles of the church. Every church member — even those whose own homes were safe — knew people affected by the fires.
Residents of Montecito, Ventura and Santa Barbara are still reeling from the recent mudslides that have left residents dead, injured and homeless. Sticky sludge and mud can be seen up to the rooftops in homes along the pathway of destruction in Santa Barbara. Witnesses say the rocks, trees, boulders and houses came plowing through the communities in a matter of seconds.
Wildfires are raging again in parts of California leaving more than 45,000 acres burned, destroying homes and forcing major evacuations. Apartment complexes, homes and a hospital are among the structures in the path of the fast-moving flames.
La región vinícola de California del Norte ha recibido la peor parte de los grandes incendios forestales que continúan ardiendo sin control. Se sabe que más de 20 personas han muerto en los incendios, mientras que al menos 285 siguen desaparecidas.
Northern California’s wine country has received the brunt of the massive wildfires that continue to burn out of control. More than 20 people are known to have died in the fires, while at least 285 remain missing. Authorities report 3,500 structures have been destroyed and over 170,000 acres burned.
“It’s bad, Dust Bowl bad.” That’s how Kathy Goodrich, co-general presbyter of Yellowstone Presbytery, describes the impact of recent Montana wildfires. Hot, dry conditions proved costly for communities across the state as wildfires spread.
As of mid-August, more than 270,000 acres had burned, and much of that was grazing land, said Goodrich. “Some ranches, already drought-stricken, are in serious jeopardy,” she added.
Presbyterians Deliver Comfort in Response to a Night of Terror
The piercing sound of sirens filled the night sky that was bright with an eerie orange glow. Hot embers cooled and turned to ash as they floated through the air, covering the ground like snowflakes—a strange sight for mid-August 2015 in the town of Kamiah, Idaho, where a wildfire was encroaching on area homes. Responding to a frantic knock at the door, a pastor greeted a young couple with their two small boys and two large dogs in tow, a look of terror and worry etched on their faces. They had been ordered to evacuate their home. Wind gusts were spreading the fire, which had resulted from lightning strikes several days earlier. The couple did not know where to go or what to do, so they went to their church. Within minutes other church members began arriving with similar stories.
Kamiah was surrounded by fire. All roads in and out were closed except one. Luann Howard, longtime pastor of the Kamiah and Kooskia Presbyterian Churches, decided to get the dozen refugees to the church in the nearby town, setting it up as an emergency evacuation center.
