• Lora Marini Baker

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Team Responds to Lolo Peak Wildfire

The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team has been working in Ravalli and Missoula Counties, MT, and the nearby areas devastated by the Lolo Peak wildfire.

As of Monday morning, the fire had spread to 31,459 acres, with none of it contained. Travelers are warned against traveling on portions of Highway 12 and Highway 93 corridors, with some areas closed to non-residents. The Montana National Guard is in place with 154 soldiers providing assistance to the Missoula and Ravalli County Sheriffs’ offices.  (Source: InciWeb, Monday, August 21.)

According to the Ravalli Republic, two homes have been destroyed by the fires. More than 1,100 homes in the area are either under an evacuation order or warning.

Missoula Corps Officer Josh Boyd is leading the relief effort on behalf of The Salvation Army. “We are collaborating with several other groups in the area, to be sure that the impacted families are supported. We will help however we can, for as long as we’re needed,” said Captain Boyd. The Salvation Army has a tradition of supporting disaster survivors long-term, helping families rebuild their lives – a process which often lasts months or years.

How to Help

The most critical need right now is for monetary donations. The best way to help during any disaster, large or small, is often to make a financial contribution. Cash donations allow disaster responders to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors without incurring many of the costs associated with sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods. Salvation Army disaster services are funded entirely by donors, and The Salvation Army uses 100% of all disaster donations in support of disaster relief operations.

There are three ways to contribute to The Salvation Army relief and restoration efforts for the wildfires:

1. On-line at: Missoula.SalvationArmy.org – designate gift for ‘Montana Wildfires’
2. By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY – designate gift for ‘Montana Wildfires’
3. By mail: Send a check, marked ‘Montana Wildfires’ to The Salvation Army, Northwest Divisional Headquarters, 111 Queen Anne Avenue N #300, Seattle, WA, 98109