As the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area of California rage on, state Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have begun preparations to help with recovery efforts amid the crisis. So far, at least 10 deaths have been blamed on the disaster — and more than 180,000 people have reportedly been forced to evacuate as thousands of firefighters struggle to contain three separate fires.
The Pacific Palisades fire is being called by many the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles. The fires have reportedly consumed more than 30,000 acres and over 9,000 structures.
“We have been in continued contact with California SBDR and California SBDR units, and volunteers have begun response — though response is somewhat limited until fires are contained,” reported Coy Webb, crisis response director for Send Relief, a ministry of the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. “Many areas are currently inaccessible as fires continue to burn.”
Webb added, “Our Send Relief Ministry Center in Los Angeles has been responding as well, and this morning the LA Ministry Center and California SBDR met to discuss joint response plans in LA County. We have also put Arizona SBDR on standby, and they are ready to respond as soon as areas open for response. We also have committed supplies from our national Send Relief warehouse to California SBDR or our Send relief Ministry Center if needed.”
Coy noted, “Again, during an active fire the response is limited until fires are contained so that we do not cause issues for first responders.”
Ways to help
For more information on how you can help, check with your church, association or state Baptist convention to find out how they are contributing to this and other ongoing relief efforts in neighboring states, your state and beyond.
For more headlines related to the wildfire, see links below.
California, Arizona Disaster Relief teams preparing to join L.A. County wildfire response -Baptist Press
Santa Ana winds fuel three wildfires in Los Angeles -The World and Everything in It
4 things you may not know about the Los Angeles wildfires -Christian Post
Firefighters battle devastating Los Angeles wildfires as winds calm somewhat -Associated Press
NOTE: The links above are a sampling of headlines related to story and are not an endorsement of all viewpoints or reporting.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by The Baptist Paper.
