31Oct

Sending Disaster Workers to California

Denver, Thursday, October 31, 2019 – The American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming is sending disaster workers to help those affected by the wildfires in California.  

Smoke plume from Kincade Fire in northern California. Photo courtesy NASA.

As of Thursday, October 31, 2019, The following disaster workers have been deployed to support the Red Cross response for the Kincade Fire in northern California. A typical deployment to a large scale disaster is 14 to 21 days.

Edward Duball, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado will serve as a supervisor for the Disaster Health Services team.

Elizabeth Hoener, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado will serve as a member of the Disaster Mental Health team.

James Hamlin, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Western Colorado will serve as a member of the Disaster Mental Health team.

Leslie Orser, a volunteer with the Red Cross of Western Colorado will serve as a supervisor with the Disaster Mental Health team.

Critical wildfire weather conditions continue in California where thousands of people have already been forced from their homes by wildfires in the northern and southern regions of the state. The American Red Cross is there, working with government and community partners to provide shelter, food, and comfort for people forced to leave their homes.

In northern California, the Kincade Fire has scorched more than 76,100 acres and is about 30 percent contained. Meanwhile, in southern California, the Tick and Getty Fires continue to burn near Los Angeles. As many as 100 homes have been destroyed, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated, major roads are closed, thousands are without power and the fires threaten thousands of additional structures across the state.

RED CROSS RESPONSE More than 2,400 people stayed in 17 Red Cross and community shelters Tuesday night. Working with partners, the Red Cross is providing shelter, meals and snacks, relief supplies, health services such as replacing lost medications and eyeglasses, emotional support and spiritual care. Anyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters, including those with service animals. You do not need to spend the night to access Red Cross services.

HOW TO HELP Please do not collect used clothing or other items to be sent to the disaster area.

The Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Please do not collect used clothing or other items to be sent to the disaster area.

  • The best way to help people affected by disasters and countless other crises by donating to support the Red Cross Disaster Relief effort. 
  • Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. 
  • Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

How Can I Find My Loved ones?

Visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell to register yourself or to search for someone.