wfn.org | Lutherans Assess Fire Storms in Arizona, Colorado

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 29, 2002

LUTHERANS ASSESS FIRE STORMS IN ARIZONA, COLORADO
02-171-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod, continues to assess short- and long-term needs in Arizona, where
1,551 fires have been reported, and in Colorado, where 1,068 fires have
been reported as of July 10.
     More than 425 homes have been destroyed and 619,688 acres of land
burned in Arizona, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director, Lutheran
Disaster Response.  Fires in Rodeo and Chediski Complex are now
contained.  Fires in Coronado National Forest are 90 percent contained.
The fires there have burned 5,942 acres of forest land, he said.
     Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest, based in Tucson, Ariz.,
is managing Lutheran Disaster Response assessment and recovery efforts.
It is working with Arizona's Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
coalition and Church World Service.
     In Colorado, 340 homes have been destroyed and 364,322 acres of
land burned, Furst reported.  In Steuben, about 10 miles west of
Gunnison National Forest, fire that spread across 550 acres of land is
zero percent contained.  "Fire activity is extreme and numerous
residences and cabins are threatened," he said.
     In Spring Creek, Colo., near White River National Forest, fire
that spread across 8,007 acres of land is 53 percent contained.  "Fire
is still burning land eight miles north of New Castle.  Minimal fire
activity was observed and contained," Furst said.
     In Missionary Ridge, Colo., near San Juan National Forest, Colo.,
fire that spread across 70,662 acres of land is 95 percent contained.
This fire activity is five miles northeast of Durango, said Furst.
     Lutheran Family Services of Colorado and Lutheran Disaster
Response are organizing long-term recovery efforts in the Durango area.
They are responding to fires in Missionary Ridge and Hayman (Woodland
Park), Coal Seam (Glenwood Springs) and other areas of significant need
as the long fire season continues, Furst said.
     Lutheran Disaster Response in Colorado is working to implement a
curriculum designed for children to express and deal with feelings of
fear and sadness related to evacuations and property loss caused by
fire, Furst said.
     "Lutheran Disaster Response in Colorado also hopes to provide
impetus for an interfaith committee of various local denominations to
pool resources together to meet unmet needs over the long haul," Furst
said.  "Church World Service representatives are present to assist with
this effort."
-- -- --
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:

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

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