Melissa Burdg of Mead WA pitched in to help the Red Cross, even before becoming a full-fledged volunteer. By Gordon Williams Some 90 percent of Red Cross responders are volunteers — giving their own time and effort to help others in need. This article will introduce you to Melissa Burdg of Mead WA who pitched in … Continue reading How this “almost-a-volunteer” is serving the Red Cross and her community
How COVID-19 is adding to the region’s wildfire worries
By Gordon Williams The COVID-19 virus has sickened and killed people, shut down schools and businesses, and put millions of Americans out of work. And now, on top of all that, the pandemic is threatening to hamper Washington state's ability to fight wildfires. What makes that especially worrisome is that the dry weather we have … Continue reading How COVID-19 is adding to the region’s wildfire worries
Where the “Wild” fits into WA Wildfire Risk
By Gordon Williams Photo: a homeowner talks with Red Cross volunteers during Washington's Wildfire season of 2015 Making predictions is always chancy, since events seldom play out exactly as you think they will. But here is a prediction that is likely to be 100 percent on the money: Demands on Red Cross resources — human … Continue reading Where the “Wild” fits into WA Wildfire Risk
What you can do to prevent wildfires
By Gordon Williams A firecracker, tossed by a 15-year old boy, started the fire that ravaged the Columbia River Gorge in the spring of 2018--burning for three months and scorching 50,000 acres. At almost the same time, a trash fire, near Yakima WA, not properly extinguished, burned 15 acres and damaged a building. Taken together, … Continue reading What you can do to prevent wildfires
Preparing for a regional wildfire response
By Gordon Williams Before this year is over, Red Cross teams in Washington and adjacent Idaho will have aided victims of hundreds of disasters big and small — home fires, wildfires, floods, storms and more. It is the responsibility of the Red Cross to make sure each of those teams is fully trained, equipped and … Continue reading Preparing for a regional wildfire response
How to stay safe in a busier-than-normal wildfire season
Spring in the Okanogan, an area of Washington State that has seen repeated years of damage from wildfires. By Gordon Williams As Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz knows a thing or two about wildfires. When she calls the state’s wildfire situation a “crisis” that is “getting worse”, it is a warning worth paying … Continue reading How to stay safe in a busier-than-normal wildfire season
HEART to the Rescue
By Mark Walker Photos by Kathy Brasch As crews battled a 3,000-acre wildfire just a few miles away, Loki and Fanny rested comfortably with their owner, thanks to some kind-hearted volunteers. The two felines were safely tucked away in an emergency human and animal shelter the American Red Cross set up at Kettle Falls High … Continue reading HEART to the Rescue
What You Can Do to Prevent Wildfires
By Gordon Williams One Sunday in late June, a man lit a fire to burn some debris near Yakima WA. The man — not publicly identified — knew the dangers of setting an open fire in wildfire season, so he checked several times to make sure the fire had been extinguished. Even so, according to … Continue reading What You Can Do to Prevent Wildfires
A Complex Recovery
By: Diane Toomey Photos by: Betsy Robertson It's been three years since one of the largest fires in the state of Washington started on July 14, 2014. The Carlton Complex Fire consisted of four fires, all ignited by lightning. They destroyed over 250,000 acres, 322 homes and 149 other structures before being contained on July 26. … Continue reading A Complex Recovery
Spokane Area Community Partners Join Forces to Support Red Cross Wildfire Response
Wenatchee, WA, 10:30a.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 Thanks to the generosity of the Greater Spokane community, KXLY4 television, and the Spokane Federal Credit Union, a total of over $10,000 was raised for the Red Cross Washington Wildfires relief fund on Thursday, September 3, 2015, during an all-day telethon on KXLY4. Alyssa Ando, a Greater Inland … Continue reading Spokane Area Community Partners Join Forces to Support Red Cross Wildfire Response
American Red Cross NW Region 