California Wildfires
and the Nazarene Disaster Response

Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) placed volunteers and resources on alert status for deployment to the San Diego area following what many were calling the worst wildfires in the history of California. At least 21 separate fires burned around 640 square miles across southern California from Mexico to Los Angeles. The high Santa Ana winds continued to fuel these fires causing them to burn out of control.

By the end of the tragedy over 1,500 homes were destroyed, with total losses estimated to exceed one billion dollars and approximately 410,000 acres burned. Local authorities estimated over one million people had to be evacuated from their homes, both in San Diego and the rest of the state, making this the largest peace time evacuation in California history.

John Denney, district superintendent of the Southern California district, reported six Nazarene pastors on his district were forced to evacuate from their homes. The building belonging to Spring Valley Church of the Nazarene at one point sat directly in the path of the raging wildfires.

One of the homes lost belonged to Mrs. Elsie Pittman, a retired Nazarene missionary to Nicaragua and Panama. She is the mother-in-law of Rev. Jim Southland of the San Diego Clairmont Church of California Wildfires and the Nazarene Disaster Response the Nazarene. She lost everything in the fire, and like many others in southern California, will have to start over from this tragedy.

The Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene received 2,000 Crisis Care Kits (CCK) that they helped to distribute to families in the area. Pastor Scott Peterson also assisted to coordinate some of the local relief activities. The San Diego churches rallied around the first responders and victims from these fires.

Some of the best volunteer support came from the students and staff of Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU). In his report for the school’s Viewpoint magazine, Eric Yates reported during the crisis, the PLNU classes were canceled. Dozens of students found multiple ways to volunteer their time and effort to assist with the wildfire relief efforts. Some volunteered for local relief agencies and others volunteered at the Qualcomm stadium. Many students helped gather supplies to distribute to the various victim relief centers in the area.

Both of PLNU chapel services during the week of the emergency were devoted to helping the community and the victims from this disaster. President Bob Brower spoke in the Monday chapel service about the need for PLNU to be there for the families affected by the fires. A time of special prayer was held by the students to pray for all of the families affected by the fires. There was also a prayer chapel available for those on the PLNU campus.

Mary Paul, Kevin and Becky Modesto also helped lead PLNU in the NDR efforts for the victims of the wildfires. In the Wednesday chapel service the week of the fires, three students shared their experiences of how they volunteered to help. Becky Modesto concluded with a challenge to the faculty and staff to show the love of Christ by getting involved in the on-going disaster relief operations. She closed the chapel service by encouraging students to respond to the ushers were at the back of the chapel with baskets. The students were invited to share a love offering to help in the recovery efforts.

Tables were also positioned outside the chapel where students and faculty could sign up for the recovery efforts. Students were standing in line to add their name to the list of volunteers willing to help.

They have also formed a university task force to involve the students and staff in assisting with the ongoing relief efforts. Their efforts have included Red Cross training and partnering with Faith In Action in developing service projects to unite area churches together for more meaningful projects after the crisis time had passed.

Steve Creech, NDR National Director, continues to monitor the situation to deploy resources and volunteers as needed. Initial calls were for the Crisis Care Kits (CCK) that many Nazarene congregations have helped prepare in advance of these types of emergency situations. These emergency care packets contain valuable personal hygiene essentials that can be easily distributed to evacuees living in official evacuation centers wherever they may be needed.

Information on Crisis Care Kit construction and shipping is available at www.NCM.org. Volunteers are asked to continue to use standard CCK procedures and do not send any kits directly to San Diego.

Additional information on this crisis and other emergencies continue to be posted on the website as they arise. Continue to monitor the NDR website for the latest news and responses to emergencies as they may develop.