Samaritan's Purse, and Billy Graham Team Chaplains Responding to Wildfires in US West Coast

News Staff : Sep 14, 2020
SamaritansPurse.org

"Please pray for the many devastated families and for protection for the dedicated firefighters battling these blazes day in and day out." -Franklin Graham

[SamaritansPurse.org] Samaritan's Purse is responding in Santa Cruz County, California, where dry lightning strike fires have so far burned more than 86,000 acres, destroying more than 1,490 homes and other structures. The terrible blaze began August 16 and is part of an ongoing rash of deadly fires breaking out in the West. More than 30 people have died in this ongoing tragedy. (AP Photo-Marcio Jose Sanchez /via BillyGraham.org)

Samaritan's Purse staff and a Disaster Relief Unit—a tractor trailer filled with relief supplies and equipment—have been deployed from our West Coast Ministry Center in Fullerton, California, as firefighters—aided by rain—close in on fully containing this fire. Our volunteers will begin work on Tuesday, helping homeowners in various ways, including by searching through the ashes to recover valuables and other meaningful items.

Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham recently expressed heartbreak over the losses many have suffered as a result of these West Coast fires—including the death of a 1-year-old toddler killed as the family was fleeing the blaze.

"Small towns have been wiped out, and some of the blazes are so strong that firefighters have had to retreat. Many people have lost their homes, and some have tragically lost family members," Franklin said in a recent Facebook post. "Please pray for the many devastated families and for protection for the dedicated firefighters battling these blazes day in and day out."

Samaritan's Purse teams will be joined by Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains as we together provide physical relief, emotional care, and share the hope of the Gospel among these devastated communities.

Our base of operations will be at:

Felton Bible Church
5999 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA 95018

Overnight housing will be provided at the Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center.

More information on serving in California can be found at SPvolunteer.org.

Please continue to pray for the many hurting people affected by the wildfires in California, as well as in Oregon and Washington. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here