The funds will be distributed in cooperation with a special Wildfire Response Committee directed by Clairemont Covenant Church. The committee will evaluate needs after other appropriative means of assistance have been sought, says CWR Director Jim Sundholm. Any money collected will be used in keeping with the CWR mission to assist people who have no other financial options.
To donate, make checks payable to Covenant World Relief and send them to Covenant World Relief, 5101 N. Francisco, Chicago, IL, 60625. Please write “Wildfire Relief” in the memo line on the check. To donate online using a credit card, visit CWR Wildfire Relief.
In other fire related news:
• The Alpine Camp and Conference Center has been at least temporarily spared after the Grass Valley fire apparently switched directions after coming within blocks of the camp, according to the Alpine Center website. Officials quoted information from the rimoftheworld.net website that said the fire was at least 30 percent contained as of last evening. The Slide Fire, which is several miles away, still poses a threat. Camp officials will decide within the next 48 hours whether to cancel the scheduled men’s retreat. The camp was evacuated Monday morning.
• Officials of Mount Miguel Covenant Village plan to release more information today regarding its status. Residents of the Covenant Retirement Community evacuated Monday evening. Campus executive director Thad Rothrock informs Covenant News Service that approximately 500 residents from the residential and assisted living facilities were moved to San Diego High School, following their evacuation about 10:30 p.m. Monday evening from the campus in Spring Valley. Staff and volunteers have cared for them by securing beds, food and water, as well as other needs. Approximately 25 staff members are working in shifts at the school.
• Residents from Mount Miguel’s skilled nursing facility are being cared for at local nursing homes and care locations. “We’ve had plans for this type of event and have practiced those plans,” says Rothrock. “Our residents are receiving the proper attention and have everything they need at this time. Everyone has a bed and food and water. Of course, this is a stressful situation, and we are doing everything we can to assist residents with their physical and emotional needs.” Family members may call the retirement community at 619-479-4790 to learn where many of the residents have been moved. The calls are being forwarded to the security office. Information is available for all of the residents living in the skilled nursing facility, including those who were bused to the high school. Information also is available concerning residents who left on their own. but informed security personnel of their intended destinations.
• River 47 Evangelical Covenant Church in Orange, California, was used as an evacuation shelter Monday night, reports pastor Frank Riley, who also is a U.S. Navy chaplain. The fire had come within a half mile of his home.
More than a dozen wildfires have been raging throughout Southern California and pushed nearly one million people from their homes, according to news reports.
Dry conditions are fueling the fires, which are being pushed by strong winds that are expected to continue. The causes of the different blazes have varied, according to news reports.
