Heading Home can be Dangerous

July 11, 2018 Story by David Owens At a dusty, ash-covered crossroads on the western slope of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, half an hour’s drive from the nearest paved road, American Red Cross volunteers set up a supply distribution point to aid people as they return to their fire-ravaged homes. Residents only have a few hours […]

Disaster Work Can be Lonely

July 11, 2018 Story by David Owens Often, disaster relief work is hectic and crowded, but sometimes there are long, lonely, dusty periods. Volunteer Steve Harris of the Alamosa Red Cross keeps this supply distribution point open, giving shovels, sifters and other relief supplies to residents as they trickle back into their neighborhoods. As several […]

A Red Cross Reunion

Story and video by Rick Padden, American Red Cross One of the great things about being a Red Cross disaster responder is the huge circle of friends that you develop over the years. Often you can disconnect with someone and then later, often years later, meet up with that person at a disaster response operation. […]

Life Goes on, Even in a Shelter

July 8, 2018 Article submitted by Rick Padden For Red Cross volunteer Rochelle Obechina, disaster relief is far more than providing  a roof, bottled water, cots, blankets, and scrambled eggs. According to her, there are basic human needs, and then there is the need for humanity. “We may be displaced, but community hasn’t gone away,” she said. […]

Alpine Bank Supports Red Cross

Saturday July 7, 2018 11 AM Story by Beth Bernhardt The American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming has been hard at work supporting the people who were evacuated due to the wildfires. They have also been supporting the firefighters, and staffing emergency operations centers in 9 counties. The support provided by the Red Cross […]

Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke

July 6th, 2018, 4 PM Story by Beth Bernhardt According to the Teller County Public Health Department, not everyone who is exposed to wildfire smoke will experience health problems. Factors that increase the likelihood are level and duration of exposure, children, elderly, and pregnant women, and pre-existing asthma, COPD, and other chronic lung and heart […]

Red Cross Support for Lake Christine Fire

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 – 12 PM: The Red Cross shelter at Basalt High School is closed, and this will be the last update. The Red Cross continues to provide disaster assessment and bulk distribution in the area. —————————————————————————————————————————- Update: Monday, July 9, 2018 – 11 AM: The Red Cross shelter at Basalt High […]

Red Cross Response to Golf Course Fire

Saturday, June 30, 2018, 345 PM – the Red Cross has closed the shelter for the Golf Course Fire. Emergency information about the fire is available at 970-725-1300. Smoke from the fire is still visible as is smoke from the Sugar Loaf fire. Please use caution in smoke filled areas. ———————————————————————————————————————– Friday, June 29, 2018, […]