wfn.org | Lutherans Help Montana Communities Caught in Smokey Wildfires

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 23, 2000

LUTHERANS HELP MONTANA COMMUNITIES CAUGHT IN SMOKEY WILDFIRES
00-200-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response has provided an
initial $10,000 grant to Lutheran Social Services of Montana, Missoula,
for emergency assistance to communities impacted by smoke and wildfires
in the state.  Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran 
Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).
     "Emergency needs include food, clothing and shelter," said Elaine
Richter Bryant, associate director for Lutheran Disaster Response.
"Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to being a resource for
congregations in their communities for the long term," she said.  Bryant
is also director for LCMS World Relief, St. Louis.
     Bryant said Lutheran pastors in Hamilton, Mont., reported that the
Bitterroot River Valley has become a "fire-banked and smoke-filled trap
with one way out. Perhaps the worst is limited visibility," she said.
     "The density of smoke keeps people from seeing the actual location
of fires.  Uncontained fires, which are not being addressed, mean that
the end of this impact phase is not in sight.  Winds may change the
direction of the fire's path but they also intensify the flames.  Only
rain or snow will end these fires.  We anticipate another six to eight
weeks like this," Bryant said.
     The Rev. Stephen D. VanGilder, Faith Lutheran Church, Hamilton,
said Lutheran Disaster Response workers, pastors and others involved in
responding to the smoke and wildfires "have been a non-anxious presence
to those that are anxious.  The wildfires pose a threat to residents'
homes and property.  Many have acquired upper respiratory problems from
the hazardous air.  So, people have banded together to provide help.
We're also keeping track of who is where.  Some residents have evacuated
while others have opted to stay home," he said.
     Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation, and Grace Lutheran
Church, an LCMS congregation, Hamilton, have become "alternate Red Cross
shelters," said VanGilder.
     Emergency assistance provided by both congregations will be
"centralized in a trailer on a public parking lot in Missoula.  The
trailer will have a large banner with the words 'Lutheran Disaster
Response' posted on the side.  We will continue to gather information
and assess the needs of people, prioritize those needs and determine
ways in which we can help," VanGilder said.
     Pastors, congregations, volunteers and staff of Lutheran Social
Service agencies "have united together to help those affected by the
disaster," said Dr. Sharon Erickson, executive director, Lutheran Social
Services of Montana.
     "This disaster is unique in that the effects may be as much from
the geographic scope of the fires and the length of time expected for
the fires to burn -- firefighters are projecting that the fires will not
be put out until smothered by snow -- as by the catastrophic losses of
those who no longer have homes," Erickson said.
     "Lutheran Disaster Response will be there through the duration,
and it is heartening to see God's people at work relieving the suffering
of others," she said.

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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands, please include:

Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL  60694-1764
800-638-3522

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For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html