July 19, 2017 - Fresno, Calif. — Last night more than 250 residents found a safe place to sleep at five different Red Cross shelters due to Detwiler Fire evacuations. Tonight the American Red Cross of the Central Valley is operating the following shelter locations for impacted residents:
1. EV Free Church, 50443 High School Road, Oakhurst, CA 93644 - View Map2. Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644 - View Map
3. Mountain Christian Center, 40299 Hwy 49, Oakhurst, CA 93644 - View Map
4. Cesar Chavez Junior High, 161 S. Plainsburg, Planada, CA 95365 - View Map
5. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora, CA 95370 - View Map
The Groveland shelter moved to the Mother Lode Fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon. The Groveland Community Hall location is now closed, and new evacuees in the area are encouraged to go to the new location at the fairgrounds in Sonora. The Red Cross thanks the Groveland community for the use of their community hall. Volunteers are on hand at each location to provide lodging, meals, health services, comfort, and more for affected residents.
“In a matter of hours last night, our volunteers opened or moved five different shelters, and provided relief to hundreds of residents,” said Red Cross Executive Director Barry Falke, “It was a huge undertaking, but our volunteers rose to the challenge to make sure that all shelter residents were safe and comfortable.”
The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and have an emergency kit ready to go for any disaster including wildfires. Visit redcross.org/prepare/disaster/wildfire to learn more.
STAY INFORMED
A Red Cross public information line has been established for anyone looking for information on current disaster relief efforts: 559-343-2549.
Visit redcross.org/safeandwell to reconnect with loved ones that might be missing during a disaster. The Safe and Well website is an easy-to-use online tool to help families and individuals notify loved ones that they are safe during an emergency.
HOW TO HELP
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 redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text “RED CROSS” to 91999 to make a $10 donation to your local Red Cross region.
Financial donations are still the best and quickest way to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. But for those who still wish to donate goods such as food and clothing, a donation drop-off site has been opened by the local VOAD group in the Sierra Star parking lot, 49165 Crane Valley Rd, Oakhurst, CA 93644. It will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. until dusk.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Trained Red Cross volunteers are currently staffing shelters and supporting evacuated residents. As the disaster continues to evolve, the Red Cross will assess how community volunteers can best support the operation.
Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer or sign up today at redcross.org/volunteer. In order to expedite your volunteer registration for this disaster response effort, select the Detwiler Fire opportunity when prompted in the application process. Email the local Red Cross Volunteer Services team at volunteer.centralca@redcross.org for more information.
LEARN MORE
Follow the local Red Cross on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates. Visit our website at redcross.org/centralcalifornia.
