Press Releases

California Wildfires

Nazarene Disaster Response has placed volunteers and resources on alert status for possible deployment to the San Diego area following what many are calling the worst wildfires in the history of California. At least 21 separate fires continue to burn across Southern California from Mexico to Los Angeles. The high Santa Ana winds continue to fuel these fires causing many of them to burn out of control. 

As of the morning of October 24, over 1,500 homes have been destroyed with damages estimated to exceed billion dollars.  Approximately 410,000 acres (640 square miles) have been burned so far.  Local authorities estimate over 500,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the San Diego area; estimates for the entire state near 1 million, making this the largest peace time evacuation in California history. 

Steve Creech, NDR National Director has been in touch with Rev. John Denney who is the DS of the Southern California district.  As of October 23, there were six Nazarene pastors forced to evacuate from their homes. The building belonging to Spring Valley Church of the Nazarene sits in the path of the fires and is expected to be lost.

Nazarene Disaster Response continues to monitor the situation and will deploy resources and volunteers as needed.  Currently, there is a great need for Crisis Care Kits.  CCKs contain valuable personal hygiene essentials that can be easily distributed to evacuees currently living in official evacuation centers.  Information on Crisis Care Kit construction and shipping is available at http://www.ncm.org/pdf/crisiscarekit.pdf.  Please continue to use standard CCK procedures and do not send any kits directly to San Diego.

Additional information will be posted as it comes in.  Continue to monitor www.NCNNews.com for the latest updates.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for Indonesia earthquake relief efforts can mark their checks “California Wildfires ACM1010” and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

• On-line using VISA or MasterCard
• OR In the US, make checks payable to: General Treasurer
• and mail to:
  General Treasurer
  6401 The Paseo
  Kansas City, MO 64131
• In Canada, make checks payable to: Church of the Nazarene
• and mail to:
  Church of the Nazarene Canada
  20 Regan Road, Unit 9
  Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

All donations remitted through NCM and the General Treasurers Office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

NCM is the liaison between the pressing needs of the world and the individuals that are committed to making a difference. We understand that you may not be able to respond to every need. However, we want to keep you informed of the opportunities for your involvement in projects such as this. Every project deserves your individual consideration.