Recent news surrounding the Waldo Canyon wildfires near Colorado Springs, Colorado, continues to improve. The fire that has been raging for more than a week is now 55 percent contained and residents aren’t as threatened.
Over 29,000 of the 32,000 originally evacuated have returned to their homes. Rev. Kevin Goos (pronounced Goss), pastor of Mountain View Wesleyan Church in Colorado Springs and assistant district superintendent of the Mountain Plains District, reports that 346 homes have been destroyed in the area. Other damaged homes have been classified into two categories: outside visible damage and smoke, soot, and water damage. Numbers are unknown as to how many homes fit into these categories.
Rev. Goos noted six areas that fire evacuees may need met:
- Gaps in deductibles and mortgage payments
- Short-term needs, like food, hygiene projects, and clothing
- Practical needs, like school supplies, books, household items, and appliances
- Renter’s insurance
- Home repairs for those structures still standing
- Needs (to be determined) for over 1,500 firefighters and first responders
Reports show that the weather was more favorable over the weekend, as winds died down and were “more cooperative” (conducive) in firefighters fighting the blaze.
On Sunday, Rev. Goos preached on “giving our wants for their needs,” a sermon based on Luke 8:1-3 NIV, which led to continued preaching on Acts 4:32-37. He encouraged his congregation to respond and help support Coloradans through the giving of things: food, vehicles, monetary gifts, and any unneeded or unwanted items in their homes.
“We are starting the process of helping those who have suffered loss in the fires,” says Rev. Wesley Smith, district superintendent of Mountain Plains District (formerly Colorado Nebraska District).
For more information, visit the Mountain View Wesleyan Church website.