Released 17 August 2012
Media Contact:
Lora Marini Baker
The Salvation Army
Northwest Division
206.217.1280 office / 206.310.5708 cell
Lora.Marini.Baker@usw.salvationarmy.org
Donations accepted
via phone, online or mail
(SEATTLE) – Wildfires
continue to spread in Central
Washington. The Salvation Army is on the front lines, ready to help and
preparing for long-term recovery.
‘The Taylor Bridge
Fire’ is believed to have started on a bridge in Cle Elum, WA, on Monday,
August 13. In the past three days, it has spread throughout 22,000 acres. The
fire is approximately 25 percent contained, with 900 firefighters on the
ground. Approximately 500 people have been evacuated from the area. To date, no
deaths have been reported. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the
state Department of Transportation.
The Salvation Army in Central
Washington is working with its local volunteer group and food bank to supply
meals as needed for shelters and the Emergency Operations Center. The Salvation
Army will be integral in the long-term recovery plan and the development of the
Disaster Assistance Center.
Currently, donors interested in aiding
the relief effort are encouraged to give financial donations, which offer great
flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is
needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.
There are three
ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army's ‘Taylor Bridge
Fire’ disaster relief efforts:
- By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY – designate gift for
‘Taylor Bridge Fire’
- By mail: Send your check, marked
‘Taylor Bridge Fire’ to
The Salvation Army
Northwest Divisional
Headquarters
P. O. Box1929
Seattle, WA
98101
The Salvation Army is committed to serving those in
need, at the time of need, in the place of need without discrimination. All
Salvation Army disaster services are free and funded entirely through the
generosity of donors. Salvation Army units throughout the state are
on standby and ready to help.
At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting
in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in
Central Washington. It is more efficient for disaster relief agencies to
purchase needed resources locally and for immediate distribution with the
disaster area. The best way for donors to help disaster victims is to make a
cash donation