Roosevelt Fire on September 30, 2018. Photo courtesy Alicia Whissel, Red Cross
Monday, October 1, 2018 – The American Red Cross continues to provide support for people affected by the Roosevelt Fire in Bridger-Teton National Forest. According to the US Forest Service web site for the Roosevelt Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6212/) the fire has grown to over 60,000 acres. An evacuation center remains open at the LDS Church, 221 North St. in Pinedale where Red Cross disaster responders are coordinating the Red Cross response.
According to Sublette County residents of a portion of Hoback Ranches are being allowed to return to their homes. Red Cross responders were at the entrance to Hoback Ranches on Highway 189/191 providing basic recover supplies this week, beginning Monday. More information is available on their Facebook page.
Example of a Red Cross emergency supply distribution. Photo American Red Cross
“We have local mental health folks working with us.,” said Cindi Shank, Disaster Program Manager for Wyoming Red Cross. “We are handing out water, snacks, shovel, rakes, masks and work gloves.” According to Shank, the Red Cross also had members of our emotional support team on hand to serve as that shoulder to lean on as people get back to their homes. Information is also available concerning health hazards associated with clean up after a fire.
As soon as the Red Cross is allowed into the fire area they will start moving emergency supplies to the affected homes and meet with the affected families to determine what needs they may have.
According to the National Weather Service, rain and or snow is possible this week. The Red Cross wants to remind people that after a fire the threat of Flash Flooding becomes a priority as rain quickly roles off the burn scar carrying mud an debris. If you need weather forecast information visit weather.gov/riverton for the latest warnings and forecast information.
How can you get help?
Helpful information is available at the evacuation center in Pinedale and from the links provided in previous updates. In addition, you can contact the American Red Cross of Wyoming at 307-421-0630. This is a 24-hour contact number. In the coming days, plans will be announced as to what resources are available.
How can I help?
Red Cross of Wyoming is accepting donations of the following items for those people affected by the Roosevelt Fire They will be open today at Unit 7, 215 County Club in Pinedale. If you have questions please contact Disaster Program Manager James Ledwith at (307) 763-2230 ; james.ledwith@redcross.org.
The Red Cross of Wyoming has been requested by the Bondurant Community Club to accept the following items for people affected by the Roosevelt Fire:
Re-Entry:
- Rakes
- Shovels
- Sieves/sifters
- Gloves
- Masks
- Totes
- Trash Bags
- Water/Gatorade
- Hand sanitizer
- Tarps
Home (Preferably New):
- Kitchen -Kits (pots, pans etc)
- Microwaves
- Toasters
- Toaster oven
- Coffee Pots
- Crock Pots
- TV’s
- Garden hoses
- Jerry Cans
Gift Cards:
- VISA
- Hardware
- Local restaurants
- Local stores
Other:
- Chain saws
- Fuel
- Generators
- Metal detectors
The Pinedale Food Basket is accepting donations of food, clothing, linens, etc. at 104 N Bridger Avenue, in Pinedale.
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Wednesday, September 26, 2018, 1:45 PM – The Roosevelt Wildfire continues to blaze in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. As of September 26 the fire was estimated to have consumed more than 50,000 acres and destroyed more than 20 homes.
For official fire information you can access this Facebook page that is being updated by the Type 1 firefighting team: https://www.facebook.com/BridgerTetonNF/
You can also get information on the web at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6212/
Local emergency fire information, including evacuation notices, is posted by Sublette County Emergency Management at https://www.facebook.com/Sublette-County-Emergency-Management-579372758805868/.
A fire information hotline is operating at 844-692-5334 from 7AM to 7PM.
The American Red Cross of Wyoming has been actively supporting the communities and especially those whose homes have been impacted. They have been coordinating with state and local officials and opened evacuation centers where people can get the latest information and Red Cross support.
An evacuation center is open at the LDS Church, 221 North St., Pinedale, WY. It is open from 8 AM to 8 PM. Information about the fire is posted at the center and
Evacuation Center at the LDS Church in Pinedale. Photo by Dennis Hughes/Red Cross
Red Cross volunteers and staff are available to provide Red Cross services.
“We know it has been challenging for people in western Wyoming due to the Roosevelt Fire,” said Cindi Shank, Disaster Program Manager for the Red Cross of Wyoming. Cindi and her team are working on action plans that will determine additional Red Cross response. “We contacted the Wyoming VOAD, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, in an effort to shore up resources from the community.”
How can you get help?
Helpful information is available from the resources sited above. In addition, you can contact the American Red Cross of Wyoming at 307-421-0630. This is a 24-hour contact number. In the coming days, plans will be announced as to what resources are available.
How can you help?
The best way to help the Red Cross help the people affected by the Roosevelt Fire is with a financial donation to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. On average $.91 of every dollar spent is spent on humanitarian services to help people impacted by disasters like the Roosevelt Fire.
In Kind Donations are not the best way to help at this time. Donations of used clothing and other items often get in the way of other disaster relief efforts. The Red Cross is working within the community to find an organization willing to take on the task of collecting and distributing donated items. Here is a short explainer video that can help with the issue of how best to help after a disaster.