While Hawaii’s deadly wildfire continues to draw ongoing media attention, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief crews and churches responded quickly to those impacted by local wildfires in Sabine Parish Monday (Aug. 14).
While the situation remained serious because of wind direction and changing weather conditions, the wildfire has been contained. However, officials cautioned earlier this week that flareups could ignite new fires in the area.
As the fire raged that afternoon, residents in the path of danger were urged to evacuate. Local media reported that at least eight homes were damaged or destroyed.
“Sheriff Aaron Mitchell asks everyone to remember those in your prayers affected by this disaster as well as all first responders and law enforcement agencies who responded,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post Monday evening. “Also, thank you to the many churches, citizens and other volunteers for their help and aid.”
Churches offering help
Congregations opening their doors for evacuees to have access to food and a place to cool down included First Baptist Church Warren Baptist, Ebenezer Baptist Church and Antioch Baptist Church (all in Florien); Grace Assembly of God Church of Hornbeck and Trinity Baptist Church of Many.
A Louisiana Baptist Convention Disaster Relief shower trailer arrived earlier this week at First Baptist Church Florien.
“Pray for first responders in this heat,” Stan Statham, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist, told The Baptist Message. “We will be feeding others, so monetary donations would help. Food is expensive.”
Louisiana Baptist Convention District 8 coordinator Ron Thompson asked for continued prayer and thanked churches and disaster relief teams for their quick response.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Baptist Message staff and originally published by Baptist Message.
