March is Red Cross Month
Western Colorado Chapter American Red Cross
    Red Cross Helps Fire Victims in Southern States
Written by Lesly C. Simmons, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

Texas FiresTuesday, January 03, 2006 - Wildfires continue to blaze across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico as adverse weather fuels fires that have so far burned hundreds of homes and hundreds of thousands of acres.

Officials in Texas are operating at their highest state of emergency as weather conditions continue to hamper efforts by fire crews to extinguish the blazes. High temperatures, strong winds and low humidity lead the National Weather Service to place the entire state of Texas under a red flag warning, meaning the highest level of danger due to fires is possible.

"People in the southern Plains must be mindful of the dry conditions by ensuring cigarettes are properly extinguished and honoring local burn bans. We are dealing with extreme conditions that endanger both life and property," said Phillip Bothwell, fire weather expert for the NOAA Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla. in a press release.

Southern Fire DamageTwo major fires are still burning in Texas, adding to the nearly 200,000 acres the state has lost to blazes in recent days.

Some of the worst destruction happened in the town of Ringgold, about 45 miles southeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. Ringgold lost 34 of its 39 homes and many of the residents had little warning that the fire was coming and barely escaped with their lives.

"I talked to a number of families today, and this community has been devastated," said Anita Foster, with the Chisholm Trail Chapter out of Fort Worth, Texas. "It's a sad picture because the damage is so severe, like so many other towns across Texas and Oklahoma."

Communities Help Themselves to Heal

Still, despite the destruction, neighbors have come together to help each other. The Red Cross has not needed to open a shelter in Ringgold because many of those who lost their homes are now staying with family and friends.

"Believe me when I say that people here take care of each other," said Foster. "There is a tremendous support for this community from neighbors, and also from the Red Cross, the local churches, everyone."

As of Tuesday officials in Oklahoma are reporting fires in 22 different counties across the state. More than 15,000 acres have burned since Dec. 27, and more than 150 structures have burned.

In New Mexico, nearly 80,000 acres have burned from four fires that started near the town of Hobbes on Sunday. In all areas, the fires are expected to continue in the coming days.

"Unfortunately the outlook is bleak at best," said Foster. "Conditions continue to be hazardous into the weekend. Our chapters are ready, because we know we may be called to head to another town at any moment."

Together We Can Save a Life

American Red Cross, Western Colorado Chapter
506 Gunnison Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone:  970-242-4851
Fax   970-241-2337
Email:  chapter@arcwcc.org