• Robert Brennan

The Salvation Army's Response Grows as Fires in California Spread

Now managing the feeding of more than 700 evacuees in two ventura locations

Los Angeles, CA, December 6, 2017– Wild fires in Ventura and L.A. Counties continue to be aided by strong winds and low humidity and are wreaking havoc on several fronts. The “Thomas Fire” is the largest fire and as of 7:45 pm last night was 0 percent contained. More than 150 structures have been destroyed and the fire has grown to 50,000 acres. The Creek Fire which started yesterday in the Sylmar area has likewise grown and is destroying homes and property in the northern parts of the San Fernando Valley.

The Salvation Army has been on the scene from almost the beginning and as the fires have escalated so has The Salvation Army’s response. The Salvation Army is handling the feeding of the two main evacuation centers for the Thomas fire at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Nordhoff High School in Ojai. Combined, there are currently 700 evacuees at these sites and The Salvation Army has committed its resources to feed and provide other comforts to these fire survivors for as long as necessary.

With tens of thousands of people under mandatory evacuation orders and the weather conditions unfavorable for containment in the near future, it is likely this will become a long-term Salvation Army disaster response and the organization is asking the public for support to keep its staff and volunteers in the field to help those impacted by the fires. To donate, go to www.salvationarmysocal.org or call 1 800 SAL ARMY and donate to fire relief today.

About The Salvation Army:  The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 127 years in Southern California. Nationally, more than 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in 7,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmy-socal.org.