Wildfires from Colorado to Florida have burned more than 1 million acres since March 6, killed at least seven people and led to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief activity in four states.
In the Texas Panhandle five deaths have been reported and 325,000 acres burned, CNN reported, while Oklahoma and Kansas each have seen one death and 400,000 acres scorched. Colorado saw 30,000 acres burned with an additional 6,000 acres ablaze in southern Florida.
Baptist state conventions in Oklahoma and Kansas-Nebraska are engaged in active disaster relief ministry while volunteers in Texas and Colorado are preparing to deploy if necessary.
‘One of the worst fires’
Sam Porter, disaster relief director for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said the blaze is “probably one of the worst fires I’ve ever seen as far as endangering people and livestock because the winds were 60–70 miles per hour with about 10 percent or less humidity.”
Dry conditions and strong winds increased the risk of fire in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback both declared disaster emergencies.
Nearly 6 million people nationwide live in areas “at risk of critical wildfire conditions,” AP reported March 8, including Tulsa, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City; and Kansas City. Thousands of people have been evacuated.
Florida fires forced state officials to close a 25-mile segment of Interstate 75 near Naples and evacuate some residents of Naples-area Collier County, Fort Lauderdale’s Sun-Sentinel reported.
In Kansas disaster relief volunteers have been assisting around the clock with meal distribution in coordination with the Red Cross and Salvation Army.
No Kansas-Nebraska Baptist churches appeared to be in immediate danger from the fires at press time but First Baptist Church, Hutchinson, Kansas, “may be threatened” if the blaze continues its path toward Hutchinson. (BP)
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