NW wildfires fuel record Red Cross disaster response
The American Red Cross Cascades Region responded to 68 local disasters across Oregon and Southwest Washington during July, a 45 percent jump from last summer, and August is starting out busy as well, officials said Thursday.
During July, Red Cross volunteers helped 242 people with casework services and opened four shelters to ensure people had a safe place to stay when their homes were impacted by disasters.
“The Red Cross is there — whenever, wherever disasters strike. We respond day or night, thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners,” said Cascades Region Red Cross Chief Executive Officer Amy Shlossman.
“We can stretch our dollars so effectively because of our volunteers who are willing to respond at a moment’s notice and help complete strangers in their greatest time of need,” she added.
Red Cross volunteers on Tuesday quickly mobilized to open a shelter in Roosevelt, Wash., due to Level 3 evacuations from a growing wildfire. Local Red Cross disaster response teams are currently monitoring a wildfire in Northeast Oregon and have a shelter team and facility on standby if needed.
Red Cross team members from across the region came together during the last week in July to support communities affected by wildfires in Douglas County. They swiftly opened a shelter in Canyonville due to Level 3 evacuations from the growing Stouts and Cable Crossing wildfires.
The Red Cross participated in community meetings and provided water, meals, snacks, and information about Red Cross services. In addition, they supplied disaster preparedness resources to more than 750 people.
In early July, Red Cross volunteers in Marion and Polk counties opened a shelter due to wildfire activity in Monmouth. Other early July responses included canteen services in Pendleton after a fire and explosion at the old City Hall building, and a shelter opening to serve residents of an apartment fire in Multnomah County.
The Red Cross Cascades Region is ready to respond to disasters large and small with a trained disaster workforce, more than 1,000 identified shelter locations, and disaster trailers and supplies pre-positioned throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Disaster response services are funded by the generous support of individual donors, foundations and corporate partners. You can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief in Oregon and Southwest Washington by visiting http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations or by mailing donations to P.O. Box 4125, Portland, OR, 90708.
