Dear Friends,
It is with sorrow that we witness the rapid growth of the Ranch and Rivers fires (Mendocino Complex Fire) encroach upon our neighbors in Lake County.
This fire season has begun exceptionally early and it's already taking its toll. As of this morning, August 4, 2018 the Ranch and River fires (Mendocino Complex Fire) have increased to
201,471 acres burned with
27% and 50% containment (respectively).
55 residences and 49 other s
tructures have been destroyed, the majority in Lake County.
Between counties there are over 10,000 evacuees seeking shelter.
The Mendocino Complex Fire has now surpassed the CARR fire in acreage, although those in the greater Redding area have experienced far greater damage to personal property.
Even as I write this new evacuation notices are coming in as firefighters struggle to gain control over the devastating firestorm.
Because Lake County is bearing the brunt of the property damage, we would like to encourage donors to extend their generosity to North Coast Opportunities (NCO) via its Wildfire Relief Fund https://www.ncoinc.org/disaster-recovery. NCO are our partners in the recovery efforts for the October 2017 Redwood Complex Fire, and their work in Lake County is now in its third year of fire damage. Please support them directly if you are able.
Amidst hot and dry conditions we await news of containment on all fronts. With new fires cropping up daily, including the Eel Fire approximately 10 miles east of Covelo, currently at 40% containment and having burned 1000 acres, we are on tenterhooks thinking of the damage to our region.
For those who have faced fires in the previous years, this new round of smoke and flames could be surfacing feelings of anxiety, stress and fear. These are normal feelings which could benefit from speaking with a counselor. For help please call the Redwood Resource Room at 707-621-8817 for assistance.
If you would like to help those impacted by the fires in Mendocino County or our neighbors in Shasta County, please consider giving through the following established relief funds.
If you would like to give to
Shasta County who is facing an intense and extensive recovery effort, the Shasta Regional Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund at
http://www.shastarcf.org/funds/cdrf has been set up to accept online donations towards short and long term recovery. Choose the "Community Disaster Relief Fund" from the drop-down menu.
We appreciate the generosity and support of our community near and far in supporting the recovery of our survivors as well as those of our neighbors.
Stay well. Stay safe.
Warmly,
Megan Barber Allende
President/CEO
