By Catie Ballenger, American Red Cross Public Affairs
This past month, when communities across our nation faced disasters such as fires and hurricanes, volunteers from the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming were mobilized to assist other parts of the country to prepare, respond and recover from these disasters. In September, 150 Colorado and Wyoming disaster responders deployed both virtually and in-person to provide support and recovery assistance to people who had been affected by these disasters.
Colorado and Wyoming Wildfire Deployments
In September, multiple wildfires scorched parts of Colorado and Wyoming, most significantly, the Cameron Peak fire in Colorado and the Mullen fire in Wyoming. To date, 95 disaster responders from both states have deployed both virtually and on the ground providing support and service to evacuees from areas threatened by the fires.
In response to both fires, the Red Cross of Colorado has:
- served 6,709 meals
- distributed 12 comfort kits
- made 695 disaster health, 151 disaster mental health contacts and 11 Disability Integration Contacts
Cameron Peak Fire: The Cameron Peak fire ignited on August 13 in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake. In September, the fire prompted numerous road and National forest closures and evacuations. In response, the Red Cross opened an evacuation center to provide support and services to those affected by the fire. To date, the Red Cross has opened 8 shelters that strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and have housed approximately 611 displaced persons.
Mullen Fire: The Mullen Fire is burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest, southwest of Centennial, Wyoming. In response to mandatory evacuations, the Red Cross has opened 2 shelters that strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and have housed approximately 39 displaced persons.
Breakdown of the CO & WY National Deployment for September 2020:
From multiple major hurricanes and tropical storms in the south to devastating wildfires in much of the west, back-to-back massive disasters have kept thousands of Red Cross volunteers working tirelessly for weeks across the country to provide food, shelter and comfort to tens of thousands of people in need. 55 Colorado and Wyoming disaster responders have deployed both virtually and on the ground providing support and service to those who have been affected by these disasters.
Breakdown of the CO & WY 87 county service area for September 2020:
Most of the 60,000 national emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal disasters like home fires. The Red Cross knows these local disasters are just as devastating as large scale disasters. Volunteers from our Disaster Action Teams are ready to respond to these local emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In September, the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming provided support and care to 129 people. Out of the 48 cases in September, the majority of calls were for home fires.
- Mile High Chapter (MHC) responded to 27 calls for service and helped 56 people. The MHC response area includes 10 counties in the Denver Metro area.
- Southeastern Colorado Chapter (SECO) responded to 9 calls for service and helped 26 people. The SECO response area includes 16 counties.
- Northern Colorado Chapter (NOCO) responded to 2 calls for service and helped 5 people. The NOCO response area includes 11 counties.
- Western Colorado Chapter (WECO) responded to 5 calls for service and helped 24 people. The WECO response area covers 27 counties, serving all Western Colorado and the San Luis Valley.
- Wyoming Chapter (WYO) responded to 8 calls for assistance and provided care to 18 people. The WYO response area covers 8 counties in the state of Wyoming.
