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San Jose, CA (July 19, 2017) – The American Red Cross is deploying eight local volunteers to support the disaster relief efforts for residents evacuated by the Detwiler Wildfire in Mariposa County including:
• Shelter Supervisor Danny Webster of Marina
• Warehouse Supervisor David Pellet of Vallejo
• Health Services Associate Micheal Nealon of San Jose
• Logistics Supervisor George Dresnek of Windsor
• Feeding Supervisor Jamshid Kiani of Felton
• Feeding Associate Steve Carson of Salinas
• Feeding Associate Jose Perez of Antioch
• Feeding Associate Brad Gordon of Los Gatos
Jose Perez and Brad Gordon will be driving a Red Cross emergency response vehicle to Mariposa County, leaving the Red Cross San Jose office tomorrow, Thursday, July 20, around 9 a.m. Steve Carson and Jamshid Kiani will be driving a Red Cross emergency response vehicle to Mariposa County, leaving the Red Cross Santa Cruz office tomorrow, Thursday, July 20, around 10 a.m. These vehicles will be used to help deliver food, water, and other relief supplies to people affected by the raging wildfire.
The Detwiler Fire has burned more than 48,000 acres and is currently 7% contained as of 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 19. More than 3,000 fire personnel work to contain the fire while battling the dangerous combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and windy conditions. Some 5,000 people were forced to leave their homes behind on Tuesday when mandatory evacuations were placed on numerous areas of Mariposa County, including the main town of Mariposa. To date, more than two dozen structures have been destroyed, and another 1,500 are threatened. Red Cross workers opened five shelters where 256 people spent Tuesday night. Within shelters, impacted residents can find safety information, relief supplies, water, meals and support services. Red Cross teams are closely monitoring the fire and preparing additional staffing and material resources if additional evacuation orders are announced.
Wildfire season is well underway across the country as hot temperatures, and dry conditions have placed many areas at risk. Wildfires can spread quickly. Know the dangers and learn what you can do to help keep you and your loved ones, as well as your property safe in the event of a wildfire. The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and has an emergency kit ready go for any disaster including wildfires. Follow the safety tips at redcross.org/prepare/disaster/wildfire to keep you and your loved ones safe if wildfires threaten.
You can help people affected by disasters like California Wildfires and countless other crises by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give: visit red cross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Another way people can help is to become a Red Cross volunteer. The donated time and talent of a Red Cross volunteer can make a real difference in people’s lives. Go to redcross.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
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About the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please call 1-888-4-HELP-BAY (1-888-443-5722) or visit: redcross.orgorcalcoastal to learn more.