wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Wylie Woods survived wildfires

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Note #8005 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Wylie Woods survived wildfires
03483
November 11, 2003

Wylie Woods survived wildfires

Report that center was	'completely destroyed' was exaggerated

by John Filiatreau

LOUISVILLE - Wylie Woods Conference Center in the San Bernardino Mountains of
Southern California was not "completely destroyed" by fire last month, as the
Presbyterian News Service reported.

	The main lodge at Wylie Woods, a conference facility of the Synod of
Southern California and Hawaii, did burn to the ground, and a new chapel
building, the first construction at Wiley Woods in half a century, also was
destroyed. But two structures, including one with kitchen facilities, were
unharmed except for minor firefighting damage.

	Donna Ward, the center's manager, said preparations are under way for
a January reopening at about half of the normal capacity of about 70.

	"We're starting to rebuild," Ward said this week. "One of the
buildings that burned was the old lodge, which we were holding together with
duct tape. So, while it has been a setback, in some ways it's really a
blessing. ...

"The forests are still here. For the most part, you can't even tell there was
a fire."

	One of the buildings that survived, Ward said, was a 75-year-old log
cabin near the lodge.

The facility was insured.

Synod Executive John N. Langfitt said officials are still assessing the
damage and trying to decide whether it is feasible to reopen Wylie Woods in
January.

	The synod's other conference center, Big Bear, was evacuated during
the wildfires but was not seriously damaged. It reopened about a week ago and
is fully operational.

Langfitt said the synod hopes to move some events scheduled for Wylie Woods
to Big Bear.

	At least 26 homes belonging to members of Rancho Bernardo
Presbyterian Church in San Diego were destroyed.

	The Julian, CA, home of Jack Shelver, the synod treasurer, also was
destroyed, according to Langfitt.

	The wildfires in Southern California raged along a 40-mile-long
corridor, consuming more than 750,000 acres, destroying more than 3,500
homes, forcing thousands of residents to flee, and killing more than 20
people.

	Smoke and haze caused by the fires reached as far as west Texas.
Experts say the immediate dangers now are mudslides and flash flooding
because of erosion caused by groundwater runoff from huge expanses of
scorched land.

	A special account has been set up for contributions for cleanup and
relief efforts. To contribute to "California Fires" account #PDA 9-2000165,
use local church channels; or call PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283; or log on to
the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Web site at
www.pcusa.org/pda/donate/accounts.htm. Checks also may be sent directly to
Central Receiving Service, Box 300, Louisville, KY 40289.

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