Photo Courtesy of Fran Lynch
Dog Sled
The town of Willow outside Anchorage is the center of Alaska’s sled dog community. About 500 sled dogs have been moved to safety, according to news reports.
June 17, 2015—Since Sunday, June 14, fires have been burning in the Alaska towns of Willow and Sterling, outside of Anchorage. About 6,500 acres are on fire, which obliged hundreds of families to evacuate the area. Willow is the center of Alaska’s sled dog community and, according to news reports, some 500 sled dogs also have been moved to safety.
Greg Forrester of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), part of the General Board of Global Ministries, confirmed today that UMCOR has sent an emergency grant to Bishop Grant Hagiya, who oversees the Alaska Conference of The United Methodist Church. “Some UMC members and churches are already directly affected,” Forrester said.
Bishop Hagiya indicated that the grant would be used for temporary services, housing needs, and expenses related to cleanup.
By FRAN LYNCH
We have a major wildfire burning in Willow. JD and I are right on the southern edge of the mandatory evacuation area. We are packed and ready to drive out if need be.
Photo by Rachel deBos
Fran Lynch
Deaconess Fran Lynch serves as a church and community worker in Willow, Alaska, where wildfires are threatening hundreds of homes
We helped one family for several hours yesterday, since the woman was alone. She was waiting for her husband to get out of Anchorage, where he works. We helped her get the important things gathered up. Then the husband and extended family arrived from Eagle River and Anchorage, and by the time the family had to move out, we had only the 25 sled dogs left to load.
I then spent time helping at the Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center, until it had to be evacuated. At that point, a church member and I went to the Willow Church and loaded the special things, and then I came home to help JD continue to pack up.
Between the minister and me, we have made contact with all the Willow Church members. Maybe just one family has lost their house now, but others have had fires going right up to the edge of their homes. If the fire swings back around, I’m not sure what will happen.
We have seven children coming to the Willow Church camp this week. All the parents have said, "Yes, my child will be there. It is the place where they need to be, to be out of this for a week." Camp is gearing up to deal with some trauma, and we are reworking the use of fire imagery for the Holy Spirit. I really do feel lifted up by the prayers of the connection of the UMC here in Alaska and beyond.
Smoke comes and goes here at the house. Some neighbors and I are staying in touch with each other. We each have boats, life jackets, and towels on the dock ready to hit the middle of the lake if for some reason we cannot drive out. So time and wind will tell. God is present.
Reprinted from the UMCOR website. Please keep the people impacted by the Alaska fires in your prayers. Your gift to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response, Advance #901670, will help those affected by this event and other disasters in the United States.