From the Field

World Vision supports firefighters, families affected by Washington state wildfires

World Vision distributed relief supplies to support workers fighting wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington.

Entiat Food Bank volunteers help World Vision staff members Mike Wold (left) and Kevin Baza (center) unload relief supplies to support firefighters and families displaced by Washington wildfires. “One of the coolest things [in the shipment] are boxes of gum,” said Thad Huff, pastor of Open Life Church in Bonney Lake, Washington, which is working to deliver supplies from World Vision’s warehouse to weary firefighters in Chelan and Okanogan. “You’ve got to imagine what the firefighters are breathing in," Thad says. "Gum is not a necessity, but a blessing.” (©2015 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber)

World Vision distributed relief supplies to support workers fighting wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington.

Entiat Food Bank volunteer Kathy Litch tallies the weight and quantity of relief supplies World Vision delivered Aug. 26 to support firefighters and families affected by the wildfires. She reflected on the countless acts of compassion she's seen in response to the worst wildfire season in Washington's history. Just thinking about an elderly woman who recently came in to offer two bags of assorted supplies made her eyes well up. The woman had scraped together whatever things she could to help firefighters and families in her community affected by the immense fires. "You just tear up, that she made an effort to help," Kathy said as she watched a family affected by the recent Chelan fires collect supplies across the room at the Entiat Food Bank. "It's rewarding. You feel good at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are." (©2015 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber)

World Vision distributed relief supplies to support workers fighting wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington.

Signs posted on the entrance to the Entiat Food Bank offer support and contacts for people affected by the wildfires. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber)

World Vision distributed relief supplies to support workers fighting wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington.

Food Bank workers wait at the front desk while another volunteer helps a family displaced by the Chelan fire collect food and other necessities. Signs posted on the entrance to the Entiat Food Bank offer support and contacts for people affected by the wildfires. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber)

World Vision distributed relief supplies to support workers fighting wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington.

Tents lie vacant at a city park in Entiat, Washinton, while Army crews and firefighters battle blazes to the north. Heavy smoke settles over the Columbia River. About 1,300 people are working to contain the Okanogan Complex fires. (©2015 World Vision/photo by Chris Huber)

Firefighters continued to battle massive wildfires in Washington state. The wildfires have killed three firefighters and destroyed dozens of homes and other structures. The Okanogan Complex fire, the state’s largest, has burned 292,512 acres — about 457 square miles — and is only 12% contained, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center Aug. 28.

Heavy smoke covered much of eastern Washington, reducing visibility on roads and permeating clothing. Weekend weather forecasts called for scattered thunderstorms over Okanogan, which could slow the fires.

World Vision is distributing relief supplies to support workers fighting the wildfires and families affected throughout central and northeastern Washington. An Aug. 26 delivery included tents, sleeping mats, hygiene products, coolers, and other products at the Entiat Food Bank.

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