By Betsy Robertson If you’ve never experienced a home fire or had property devastated by a wildfire, you might not know what this image represents. It’s a simple tool, made from wood and wire mesh, put together in batches by community members and volunteers. But what they offer is so much more than the … Continue reading Hope and community sifted from ashes
Wildfire smoke is more dangerous than you thought
Smoke from a wildfire in Pierce County WA, September 2020 By Gordon Williams You’re familiar with the adage, “Where there’s smoke there’s fire.” But did you know that by reversing that to “where there’s fire there’s smoke”, you can help safeguard your long-term health? Read on… The 2021 wildfire season is off to a fast … Continue reading Wildfire smoke is more dangerous than you thought
Tracy Sheehy’s Whirlwind Trip from One Fire to Another
By Gordon Williams Red Cross volunteer Tracy Sheehy had just returned home from a two-week deployment to the California wildfires when she was asked to help at the fires sweeping through Washington. Now she is mass care manager for Red Cross sheltering operations in Federal Way and Puyallup where she works with shelter manager Richard … Continue reading Tracy Sheehy’s Whirlwind Trip from One Fire to Another
How Janice Chapman Shelters Clients from Wildfires and COVID19
By Gordon Williams Janice Chapman Red Cross volunteer Janice Chapman was warned on the afternoon of Sunday, September 6 that she might be deployed to a wildfire in Eastern Washington. The call to deploy came early the next morning. “I was just finishing my coffee,” Janice said. Within hours, she was on her way to … Continue reading How Janice Chapman Shelters Clients from Wildfires and COVID19
Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season
July 25, 2018. Redding, California. Wildfires. Photo by Kris Warner/American Red Cross By Gordon Williams The images on television are horrific — pictures of wildfires burning out of control in California, Oregon and Eastern Washington. Since wildfire season is likely to last until the soaking rains of autumn, it’s essential you know how to stay … Continue reading Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season
Coping with COVID-19 plus wildfire smoke
November 13, 2018. California. The smoke choked sky changes the daylight to an indescribable hue. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross By Gordon Williams When it comes to wildfires and wildfire smoke, so far so good. Wildfire activity in Washington state and neighboring British Columbia has been moderate so far this year -- many fires but … Continue reading Coping with COVID-19 plus wildfire smoke
Class in Session
By Mark Walker Photos by Michael Steed WENATCHEE – Just look up. That’s all nearly 200 Red Crossers gathered here had to do earlier this month to underscore that disaster can occur anytime, anywhere. On the second day of the American Red Cross’s Northwest Disaster Institute – with volunteers and staffers fully engaged in … Continue reading Class in Session
Keep Safe from the Growing Threat of Wildfires
By Gordon Williams The warning from Hilary Franz, Washington’s Commissioner of Public Lands, could hardly be more blunt: The state’s wildfire season is starting earlier and lasting longer and there are more fires now west of the Cascades. So how do you defend your home and family from the worsening threat of wildfire? How can … Continue reading Keep Safe from the Growing Threat of Wildfires
Why I Volunteer: Riley Campbell
My name is Riley Campbell and I am a Red Cross Volunteer in Seattle, Washington. I was first introduced to the Red Cross while I was abroad in Kenya, studying for Nursing school. The Red Cross taught me skills that nursing school just couldn’t possibly teach in a text book. Once I returned to Washington … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Riley Campbell
Keep pets healthy when it’s smoky outside
Originally posted in August of 2017, the story is even more relevant today. Photo credit: Jen Blackwood, Seattle WA, September 14, 2020 By Gordon Williams We certainly love our pets: How else to explain why Americans own an estimated 78 million dogs and 86* million cats. [edited in 2024 to note that according to the … Continue reading Keep pets healthy when it’s smoky outside
American Red Cross NW Region 