After fighting a seemingly lost battle against raging wildfires in Colorado this summer, state fire marshals reported today that 75 to 100% of the largest fires have been contained. Families evacuated from the disaster areas have been able to visit their home sites briefly and will return for the long-term once power and water have been restored. CRWRC Disaster Response Services (DRS) area managers Walt and Carol Ackerman say, “Thank God, the members of Cragmore CRC who were evacuated have all returned to their homes without loss of personal belongings or property.”

The two largest fires in Colorado have burned more than 90,000 acres of land and destroyed 650 homes. Fire responders hope that these blazes will be entirely contained by mid-July. “The start of the seasonal afternoon rains is also an answer to prayer,” Walt Ackerman says. “Please continue to pray for more rain and lower temperatures. The rain has helped contain most of the other, smaller fires in the state.”

CRWRC-DRS is monitoring the fire’s progress and results relative to disaster declarations by the U.S. federal government: these cover the Waldo Canyon and High Park fires, and may affect victims of smaller fires around the state. CRWRC-DRS staff and volunteers will move planning forward after meetings later this week.

“We continue on to show God’s grace to those who have lost homes and possessions,” the Ackermans say. “Pray for additional rains to help make up for the lack of snow in this region this past winter.”

CRWRC-DRS is ready to respond as soon as access to affected areas is possible, and is currently working with officials, local partners, and CRCs to assess needs, identify volunteers, and raise funds.

You can help by CRWRC-DRS respond by donating online:  US | Canada
(choose “Colorado Wildfires” in the Disasters – North America category)

Gifts marked “Colorado Wildfires” can also be sent to:

CRWRC-Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8
Ph: 1-800-730-3490

CRWRC-US
2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560
Ph: 1-800-55-CRWRC

Thank you for your prayers for Colorado fire victims, first responders, World Renew/CRWRC-DRS, and all of those who are being affected by this disaster.