Sacramento, CA…Monday, June 24, 2013 — American Red Cross volunteers continue to respond to a series of wildfires in Colorado, assisting threatened residents and first responders throughout the state.  The Capital Region Chapter has deployed nine local volunteers to Colorado to assist in Red Cross shelter activities, feeding, and asset protection as new fires continue to affect communities.

Wildfires have plagued the state of Colorado throughout the month of June, with eleven active fires currently burning according to state emergency officials. The Red Cross has shelters open and volunteers helping those who have been recently evacuated due to the West Fork Complex Fire, while continuing to assist residents who were affected by wildfires earlier in June like the Black Forest Fire.

Thus far the Red Cross has done the following in support of Colorado wildfire response:

• The Red Cross has shelters opens for evacuated residents and continues to support first responders combating the wildfire.
• The Red Cross has made several trips to the South Fork Fire Department delivering meals to feed hungry firefighters battling the blaze.
• The Red Cross is prepared to continue disaster relief efforts over the coming weeks, providing food and additional assistance to people affected by the wildfires.
• Red Cross volunteers have served nearly 30,000 meals and snacks and handed out more than 29,000 recovery and clean-up items such as rakes, gloves, shovels, coolers, clean-up kits, and comfort kits that contain hygiene items, toothbrushes and additional basic essentials.
• Teams of Red Cross caseworkers, health workers and mental health experts are visiting communities throughout the state to offer resources, emotional comfort, and recovery assistance to areas devastated by the wildfires.
• Red Cross workers have also made more than 2,600 health and mental health contacts to help affected residents cope with the devastation and loss.

WILDLFIRE SAFETY As these wildfires continue to burn and with continued red flag warnings throughout the West, we are reminded of our need to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice if ordered to do so. If someone has to evacuate, they should bring the following supplies:

·         A gallon of water per person, per day – 3-day supply.

·         A three-day supply of non-perishable food.

·         Flashlight and extra batteries.

·         Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

·         First aid kit.

·         Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.

·         Sanitation and personal hygiene items.

·         Copies of important papers (medications and medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies).

·         Cell phones and charges.

·         Emergency contact information

·         Extra cash.

·         A map of the area.

You can also download the free Red Cross Wildfire App, which gives information about what to do before, during and after a wildfire, even without connectivity, and where Red Cross shelters are located. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

HOW TO HELP You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, floods and other crises by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. You can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your donation helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The Capital Region Chapter serves an eleven-county region including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, eastern Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Yolo counties. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/capitalregion or follow us on Twitter @RedCrossCRC.

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