Tag: Chico

Park Fire Evacuee: ‘All I can do is pray’

By Peg Taylor/Volunteer

The Neighborhood Church in Chico, a joint Red Cross/Butte County shelter, was opened in response to the rapidly expanding Park Fire. The shelter currently houses dozens of evacuees, primarily from small communities in the hills above Chico. All are hoping they will soon hear that they can return to their homes.

I chatted with one evacuee under a shade tree outside the shelter. She told me her story, as many evacuees are apt to do in difficult times such as this. She asked that her name and photo not be used in this article.

She told me of having to evacuate six years ago during the Camp Fire in Paradise. She lost everything in that fire. Four years ago, she returned to her community in Paradise. When asked why she returned, she explained to me that Paradise is her home, her community. Simply put, she belongs there.

Yesterday, she was again evacuated from her home. The Park Fire had exploded over the course of a few days and her community of Paradise was again under evacuation watch. She made the decision to immediately leave her home. “Better safe than sorry, and I remember so clearly how quickly the Camp Fire overran our homes. I headed for this shelter to be safe and to wait.”

As we sat under that tree, she smiled and knew she was okay for now. “All I can do is pray.”

If you are interested in helping evacuees of the wildfires in California, please make a financial donation at redcross.org/donate.

You can also roll up your sleeves and become a Red Cross volunteer by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.

Saturday’s Camp Fire Shelter Update

This morning’s Red Cross shelter update is coming to you from the Church of the Nazarene in Oroville. First a note of appreciation to The Salvation Army who has been here providing meals to Carr Fire evacuees. They got the morning rolling yet again by serving breakfast items as everyone started the morning watching the local news.

The Red Cross is providing shelter, food, and comfort at four shelters in Butte County. Last night, Red Cross shelters housed about 650 evacuees.

Red Cross Shelter Locations:

Butte County Fairgrounds

199 East Hazel Street

Gridley, CA 95928

Chico Elks Lodge

1705 Manzanita Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

Neighborhood Church

2801 Notre Dame Blvd

Chico, CA 95929

Oroville Nazarene Church

2238 Monte Vista Avenue

Oroville, CA 95966

Red Cross shelters are open to all, regardless of race, creed, religion, or immigration status.

Evacuees are encouraged to register at the Red Cross Safe and Well website so friends and loved ones know you are safe.

Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and well” by clicking on the “Search Registrants” button. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.