You've Been Asking About How You Can Help... Here's What We Know...

UPDATED 08/27/2015
UPDATED 08/26/2015

The spreading impact of the fires in Washington has prompted many individual and organizations in Clark County to ask how they can help, We have been doing some checking to help answer your questions.  Here are some things that you can do:

PREVENTION-  Currently even those of us living here in SW Washington are under extreme fire conditions.  We can help in our own back yard by being vigilant to prevent fires in our area.  No open flames outdoors.  Don’t park idling engines on dry grass.  If you live in a rural area make sure you have a brush free zone around your home.

DONATIONS- We have been contacted several times by individuals and groups that want to help by sending sack lunches or toiletries for firefighters.  As a former firefighter, I can tell you, the fire crews that are currently engaged in firefighting efforts are being supported in every way.  They have food, shelter, communications.  In fact they are fed very well.  Because of the strenuous job they perform, firefighter rations must meet a certain calorie count, meet allergy components, and several more guidelines.  They also come prepared for "fire camp" and items are available just in case they forgot something.   So sending them toiletries, food, writing supplies…etc is not only unnecessary, it can be counterproductive.   Donations of food, clothing, toiletries..etc must be tracked, stored and then dispensed.

As of this time, we are told the same applies to donating items to those who have lost their homes. With the current focus of getting the fires under control, there simply are not enough personnel  to track and manage and store all the supplies that would easily flow in after one of these types of disasters.  These actions require time and trained donation management personnel, Those are the two things that are in most short supply.  The current focus is sheltering  and taking care of those who have lost their homes. The best way at this point, is to consider making a monetary donation to one of those organization assisting in disaster response.  At this time these are what we have found:  

• United Way of Chelan and Douglas County  you can make a difference by donating online to the United Way of Chelan and Douglas County.

• American Red Cross national site where you can make donations directly for disaster relief or to your local Red Cross Chapter. 

• Northwest Baptist Convention.  You can help them by donating online as they support relief efforts. 

UPDATE 08/26/2015

• Columbia Basin Hospital is accepting donations of supplies, particularly items needed in the short term. Those include non-perishable food, disposable plates and utensils, bottled water, gas cards, coolers, hygiene products, first aid products and pet food. No clothes are being accepted, said Alayna Lodi, the hospital's spokesperson. The hospital is working with the Wenatchee chapter of the Red Cross, and more information on what is and isn't being accepted is available by contacting the Red Cross, 509-663-3907. Here is their Flyer 

• The Community Foundation of North Cnetral Washington is accepting monetary donations. They can be made at, cfncw.org or by calling 509-663-7166

 ** We are certain this isn't a full list but we will do our best to add them as we find out about them. 

You can also check the Registered Washington Charities Search   to verify if a charity you have found is registered at the state.  

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THEIR HOME DAMAGED-  the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions has resources to help in both English and Spanish including information on mortgages called: Handling Finances after a Natural Disaster. 


UPDATE:  08/27/2015:

VOLUNTEER- The call has went out, so far over 4000 people have volunteered their services to help fight fires across Washington.   If you have questions about how to volunteer, or what requirements the Department of Natural Resources is looking for, here is the basic rundown:

Washington State Department of Natural Resources says they are mainly looking for people who have wildland firefighting qualifications, including an Incident Qualification Card (Red Card or Blue Card) or those with a letter of certification form a local firefighting agency saying you have performed and completed physical fitness tests, and met the experiences and training standards for serving on wildfire incidences.

DNR has set up temporary community resource coordination centers for those wishing to commit time or equipment to fighting the current wildfires.  You can also inquire online by completing the Online Intake Form.  


DNR Volunteer Intake centers will close Thursday August 27th at 6pm after successfully processing thousands of inquiries

Centers are being established in three strategic locations:

Omak:  Jay Guthrie
Omak City Hall
2 Ash St. N
Email: CRC.Omak@gmail.com

Colville:  Julie Sacket
Washington State Department of Transportation
Second Floor
440 N Hwy 395
Email: CRC.Colville@gmail.com

Castle Rock: Kellie Williams
DNR Pacific Cascade Region Office
601 Bond Rd.
Email: CRC.CastleRock@gmail.com

Earthquake Response Reminders

With today's earthquake on the east coast, CRESA would like to remind you how to respond and be prepared to face an earthquake should we experience a similar shaking feeling here.

The US Geological Service has the following guidance about earthquake response: 

Q: During an Earthquake should you head for the doorway?

Only if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe house. In modern homes , doorways are no stronger than any other parts of the house and usually have doors that will swing and can injure you. YOU ARE SAFER PRACTICING THE DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD under a sturdy piece of furniture.

Q: What should I do during an Earthquake?

1. If you are INDOORS--STAY THERE! (Get under a desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the bldg is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
2. If you are OUTSIDE-- get into the OPEN, away from bldgs, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
3. If you are DRIVING--stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
4. If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA--watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quake

Q: Things NOT to do during an Earthquake?

1. DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it
2. DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire
3. DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn't work send someone for help
4. DO NOT expect firefighters, police or paramedics to help you. They may not be available.

Q: What do I do after an earthquake?

• WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.  Expect aftershocks.  
• CHECK FOR INJURIES (if a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available; If a person is not breathing administer CPR; DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury; COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm; SEEK medical help for serious injuries
• CHECK FOR HAZARDS (Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help; Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor; Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring; Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them;   
• SPILLS--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas; 
• DOWNED OR DAMAGED CHIMNEYS--Approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start fire or let poisonous gases into your house;  
• FALLEN ITEMS--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards; 
• CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass; If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days; Don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak; 
• USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking; If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (AVOID drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe.)