Wildfires Map
UPDATE: 4 p.m. Oct 13: California-Nevada Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño has called for prayers for the victims of northern California wildfires. For more updates on the status of churches and clergy in the region, visit the conference website.
UPDATE, 7:50 a.m., Oct. 12: Officials have raised the death toll in the Napa-Sonoma wildfires to 23 people, with a total of 3,500 homes and businesses destroyed. Some 600 people are reported missing, while increasing smoke has damaged air quality. Oct. 12 was said to be a "critical day" in in fire response because of predicted high winds and dry conditions, according to Weather.com.
Wildfires that one resident said burned through his neighborhood “like a blowtorch" have all but engulfed the Napa and Sonoma valleys of northern California, sweeping up United Methodists and their neighbors in evacuations and shelter efforts.
According to news reports, more than 15 fires are burning, and one fire department spokesman said they are "zero percent contained" because October winds known as "diablos" are feeding the flames, with gusts sometimes as high as 70 mph. As of Oct. 11, the wildfires had destroyed at least 60,000 acres of land and some 1,500 buildings, including residences. About 20,000 people have evacuated their homes, and many other residents are being advised to pack up essential belongings in anticipation of fleeing the fires. As of late Wednesday, Oct. 11, an estimated 17 people had been killed.
California-Nevada Conference Photo
Shelter Sign
A sign designates an Evacuation Shelter.
The California-Nevada Annual Conference, headquartered in West Sacramento, Calif., posted updates from pastors and relief workers through Tuesday, Oct. 10. Few reports have been posted since then because the fires have moved so rapidly and conditions so uncertain.
Excerpts from the reports Oct. 9 and 10:
From Pastor Burke Owens, Saint Helena UMC
As of 11 a.m., there is no immediate fire danger in or around Saint Helena. Fires still burning to the north in Calistoga and Santa Rosa and south in Napa and Sonoma at this time. Still no cell phone usage countywide…Otherwise, the church is generally well, though some members in Calistoga have been evacuated and one lost his home. Still zero to no containment and the air is awful, ashes covering cars, and woodsmoke permeating everything. Many residents, those who can, have left the area until the smoke clears and the power fully returns. So much of the county is dark and smoky, even in midday as well as eerily quiet.
Prayers for all of Napa and Sonoma as we face the long process of rebuilding lives.
Northern California wildfire
One of the northern California wildfires threatens homes. Photo by Jeff Turner
From Pastor Shannon Kimbell-Auth, Kelseyville UMC and Community UMC, Middletown
I just got word from the Clearlake Mayor that they are closing the Grace Evacuation center because no one has gone there. In the meantime, Twin Pine is full and can use help with cooking for those of you on that end of the county. … The dorms at Clearlake UMC have been offered as a rest place for first providers. … The sanctuary at Middletown UMC has been offered as a rest place for Red Cross workers.
I have also received a lot of requests for safe travel routes. Please direct folks to check this link: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cttravel/ For updates on the fire go to http://fire.ca.gov/ I find their tweet stream to be updated faster than the incident page, but both can be reached from this address. Thank you all for your dedication, work, compassion and prayers.
From the Rev. Blake Busick, First UMC Santa Rosa
We have many people who have shown up at First UMC Santa Rosa at our Montgomery Campus. We have put out a request among our church members for air mattresses and bedding for those who may be staying at the church overnight. We have many people who have showed up at First UMC Santa Rosa. We are providing food, prayer and spaces for people. Many of us have lost our homes and may be spending the night here at our Montgomery campus. Thank you all for your prayers.
UMCOR response
The United Methodist Committee on Relief said on its Facebook page that it expects to support relief and recovery efforts once the fires are contained and rescue efforts concluded (UMCOR leaves the rescue phase of disasters to trained first responders). To support UMCOR’s response to disasters in the United States like the wildfires in California, give to Advance #901670.
More resources
Several responses have noted that Twitter and Facebook have been the best sources for immediate wildfire news.
Matt Kiser of Seattle, editor of a daily political newsletter who has family in the area threatened by fires, set up a public list, #SonomaFires, with continuous news. Meanwhile, CalFire, the state department of forestry and fire response, is providing regular updates, including photos of current conditions, on Facebook.