July 23, 2017 - Fresno, Calif. – The Detwiler Fire forced mandatory evacuations for the entire population of Mariposa, California. The remaining residents displaced by the fire are staying in shelters located in Oakhurst, California, approximately 30 miles away.
Mandatory evacuation orders for Mariposa have been lifted, and the Red Cross is consolidating sheltering operation and transitioning affected residents closer to their supportive community to the shelter located at Mariposa Elementary School.
“We know that being closer to their homes will help them in their recovery,” said Anne Reynolds, American Red Cross Pacific Division Disaster Director. “We are working closely with our government partners and other agencies to make this happen over the next 24 hours. Red Cross volunteers are working with those families to develop a recovery plan to help them as they return to their communities.”
STAY INFORMED
A Red Cross public information line has been established for anyone looking for information on current disaster relief efforts: (559) 343-2549.
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.
About the American Red Cross Central California Region
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Central California Region provides services to the ten counties across Central California that is home to more than 4 million people. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.
