The fires now raging throughout the state may burn for months yet. And the costs have been much too high in the loss of three firefighters, injuries to four others and the destruction of more than 200 homes and other buildings in Okanogan, Douglas and Chelan counties in north central Washington.
The largest fire at 400 square miles, the Okanogan Complex, has already surpassed last year’s Carlton Complex fire in terms of acreage, which then was the largest in state history. With fires burning in California and across the West, firefighting resources have been stretched thin, a situation that has required the state Department of Natural Resources to call on experienced volunteers to use earth-moving equipment to dig fire lines. Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord have joined the fight. And assistance also is coming from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, which have sent fire manages to help direct the response.
The smoke that hung in the air in much of Snohomish County earlier in the week serves as a good reminder that these losses are hitting communities just a few hours’ drive from ours. And many in those communities have answered calls for assistance before when disasters have struck elsewhere in our state, most notably following the Oso landslide that buried a neighborhood, took 43 lives and left families homeless.
The Herald Editorial Board is joining an effort of community newspapers, initiated by the Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader, to encourage readers to make donations of money and supplies to a number of charities. Among the groups taking donations and assisting in relief efforts:
- Donations to the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross, which serves Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and other affected counties in Washington and north Idaho, can be sent to 12 Orondo Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801. To donate online go to www.redcross.org/donate.
- The Okanogan County Community Action Council is taking donations for disaster relief for Okanogan communities, including Twisp, Winthrop, Omak, Okanogan and Tonasket. Go to www.occac.com.
- The Community Foundation of North Central Washington is assisting residents in Chelan and Okanogan counties. go to www.cfncw.org/fire.
- Chelan Valley Hope, a nonprofit community service group, is accepting assistance for Chelan-area families who have lost their homes through its “Give #104” campaign at the Give Naked donation website at givenaked.org.
- A GoFundMe campaign is accepting donations for the families of the three firefighters who died fighting fires in the Methow Valley. Go to www.gofundme.com/methowfirefighters.
- The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is taking donations to provide shelter and food for injured and homeless livestock. Checks can be sent to: Okanogan County Sheriff, attn. Deputy Yarnell, 123 N. Fifth Ave., Room 200, Okanogan, WA 98840.
- And the state Department of Natural Resources is still looking for qualified volunteers. Go to www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfirevolunteer.
A couple of reminders: Financial donations offer these groups the greatest value and flexibility in obtaining and directing assistance, but donations of supplies such as coolers, tents, cots, sleeping bags, diapers, toiletries and other essentials are appreciated. Donations of clothing are not needed at this time.
And take care that your donations are going to legitimate nonprofits and community groups. Sadly, disasters often bring out those who seek to take advantage of others’ generosity and compassion. If you have doubts about a request, find another way to help.
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