Wildfires in Western States

Providing Emergency Assistance through the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane in Response to Wildfires

Web Statement

October 28, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane in response to multiple wildfires, including the Babb, Colfax, Cold Springs and Pearl Hill fires, that destroyed homes and property in central Washington earlier this fall.

The Diocese of Spokane is providing emergency assistance to vulnerable communities such as seniors, day laborers and those who lost their homes due to the wildfires. Diocesan and Church Leaders are distributing gift cards for people to spend funds on gas, groceries, local restaurants and personal items. At the same time, clergy are providing pastoral and spiritual support to those who need it. Additionally, the diocese is offering N95 masks and aid with prescription medication replacement that may not be covered by insurance.

“Diocesan leaders are applying what they learned in the 2014 Washington wildfires and are leveraging their relationships with the community to meet needs that other organizations have not been able to meet,” said Lura Steele, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Due to COVID-19, many local food banks were already stretched thin. The diocese is stepping in to help.”

Please continue to pray for all who have been impacted by the wildfires in the western United States. Donations to the US Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development continue to provide support in communities impacted by disasters, both natural and human-made.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

Photo Courtesy of the USDA Forest Service

Farmworkers in Salinas Valley, California continue working, despite poor air quality caused by the wildfires.

Episcopal Relief & Development Partners with Episcopal Dioceses in Response to Wildfires in Western States

Press Release

October 1, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal dioceses of California, El Camino Real, Oregon and Northern California to provide emergency assistance such as N95 masks, food, clothing and shelter to people impacted by the wildfires in the western US.

The state of California has experienced over 8,100 wildfires so far this year, scorching over 3.8 million acres of land, destroying buildings, homes and infrastructure, and causing dangerous air quality issues. More than 1 million acres have burned in Oregon, forcing the evacuation of 80,000 people from their homes. Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program staff has been coordinating with partners in California, Oregon and Washington since mid-August as the dioceses monitored the impact of the wildfires in western states and developed response plans to provide assistance to marginalized communities.

“This wildfire season, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, has created immense needs in vulnerable communities,” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Our partners are actively finding solutions to meet the unique needs in their communities.”

The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California is responding with assistance in communities where farmworkers and day laborers have been particularly affected by the wildfires and the economic effects of COVID-19. The diocese has developed a network of mental health professionals who are available for online counseling and support. Clergy and lay volunteers are providing aid in the form of food, gas, clothing, rental assistance and other emergency supplies to bridge gaps as the communities begin to recover.

With Episcopal Relief & Development’s support, the Episcopal Diocese of California is distributing N95 masks in the San Francisco Bay area to individuals and families who are marginally housed or without homes and are therefore more vulnerable to COVID-19 and the smoke caused by the fires.

The Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real is leveraging its connections to local communities to identify individuals and families who have lost their homes, whose homes have been damaged or who have lost income due to the wildfires. Diocesan staff and volunteers are supplying food, and clothing, as well as monetary assistance to cover gas, hotel bills, rent and utilities.

The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, with Episcopal Relief & Development’s assistance, is responding to provide physical and spiritual aid in communities throughout southern and western Oregon. English and Spanish speaking clergy are offering emotional and mental health services and are assisting people in applying for FEMA benefits. Churches have transformed parish halls into temporary housing with appropriate COVID-19 protections to offer shelter to individuals and families who have had to evacuate their homes. The diocese is also distributing food and gift cards to cover emergency expenses such as gas, clothing, cleaning supplies and prescription medications.

“Wildfires are unpredictable and must be contained before communities can begin to respond, so it often takes longer to reach the recovery phase of disasters,” continued Plummer.

Learn more about the three stages of a disaster and what you can do. Donations to the US Disaster Response Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development continue to provide support in communities impacted by disasters, both natural and human-made.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

Photo: Maestra Carissa/Courtesy of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real

Web Statement

September 10, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to support Episcopal dioceses in western states as they assess needs created by the record-breaking wildfires. These fires have destroyed millions of acres of land, homes and property, causing evacuations in many areas and creating unhealthy air quality throughout several states.

Since mid-August the organization’s US Disaster Program team has been in close contact with the Episcopal dioceses of El Camino Real, California, Los Angeles, Northern California, San Diego and San Joaquin, holding regular communication calls to assist partners in assessing needs and in deploying their disaster response plans. The team also reached out to dioceses beyond California as wildfires spread in other western states. Diocesan leaders have adapted existing disaster response plans to incorporate additional safety precautions to reduce the potential spread of the novel coronavirus. The economic and physical effects of the pandemic have already disproportionately affected marginalized communities, making the wildfires even more challenging.

“Our partners are continuing to monitor the fires and the air quality in their areas, and are reaching out to vulnerable groups to determine needs,” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Right now, we need to let the first responders make it safe before dioceses can begin to provide relief.”

There are three phases to a disaster – rescue, relief and recovery. Learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program and how the team responds to disasters, such as the wildfires, here. Contributions to the US Disaster Response Fund will help provide support to disasters such as these wildfires.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

 Photo Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management California

Supporting Partners in Response to the California Wildfires

Web Statement

September 2, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development is providing technical support for Episcopal dioceses and partners as they assess the needs of vulnerable people affected by the wildfires in Northern California.

The organization’s US Disaster Program team is coordinating with the Episcopal dioceses of Northern California, California and El Camino Real in response to the California wildfires that have burned more than 1.48 million acres and forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Additionally, many areas in San Francisco and Northern California are struggling with diminished air quality due to smoke and particulates from the fires. The COVID-19 pandemic is further complicating evacuations and emergency response efforts. Dioceses are adapting existing disaster response plans to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, while still providing assistance.

“Members of marginalized communities are particularly impacted by diminished air quality – even more so during a respiratory pandemic,” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “Our partners are leveraging their relationships in the community to determine how to best provide assistance during this challenging time.”

Please continue to pray for all those who are affected by this crisis. Donations to the US Disaster Response Fund will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to continue to respond to the wildfires in California and other disasters, both natural and human-made.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.

Preparing to Respond to Wildfires in Northern California

Web Statement

August 24, 2020

Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program is coordinating with all of the Episcopal dioceses in California as they monitor the impact of the northern California wildfires and develop response plans to provide assistance to marginalized communities.

US Disaster Program staff held a coordination call with all of the dioceses of California on Friday, August 21. Dioceses across northern California, including the dioceses of El Camino Real, Northern California, San Joaquin and California, are disproportionately affected by evacuations and air quality issues due to the wildfires. Diocesan staff and leaders continue to assess the needs of vulnerable communities as the fires continue to spread.

As of Monday, August 24, multiple wildfires had burned more than one million acres in Northern California, more than the total number of acres destroyed in all of 2019.

“The dioceses in California are prepared to provide relief once it is safe to do so,” said Tamara Plummer, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We will continue to coordinate with the dioceses as they respond when the full impact of the fires becomes more clear.”

Please pray for the firefighters and other first responders who are fighting the wildfires and for all those who are affected. Donations to the US Disaster Response Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development’s response to the fires and other disasters.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.