UPDATED: Prayer for California Fires

Jerry Mccullah

7 years ago

Sept. 29th, 2020:

“We just don’t have words”: At least 3 dead as California wildfires explode in wine country
Thousands of California residents were forced to flee two new blazes on Monday that have killed at least three people and torched nearly 70,000 acres.

Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/ANYpfFMkTRwquiMFDlwSzEg

Shared from Apple News

Sept. 28th, 2020:

PRAY TEAM JESUS!

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

California fires “have exploded once again“ as new blazes ignite and existing ones intensify
It’s not just the Glass Fire near St. Helena in Wine Country that has grown quickly: Dangerous fire conditions across Northern California have exacerbated existing fires and ignited new ones this weekend, prompting new evacuations, red flag warnings and widespread smoke.

Read in San Francisco Chronicle: https://apple.news/AadwRvvlaSWiColFIA1bGiQ

Shared from Apple News

************************************************

Wildfire smoke reaches the East Coast — while still smothering the Northwest
For weeks, residents up and down the West Coast have been checking forecasts to find out when the suffocating, hazardous wildfire smoke will shift and allow them to once again open their doors and windows.

Read in Yahoo News: https://apple.news/ASpdGygdwTP-YQe0KzGJDKA

Shared from Apple News

Smoke from deadly wildfires in the West can be seen on other side of country
The fires burning on the West Coast is producing smoke that was seen in Virginia and New York skies on Monday.

Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/AA0H3gYoUQlC7mFw9hAL7Bw

West coast cities face the world’s worst air quality as wildfires rage
Smoke from the fires, which have burned millions of acres across the west, has nearly reached Hawaii and Michigan

Read in The Guardian: https://apple.news/A8JF8-8YXSAyLUvefR5SiOw

Shared from Apple News

‘Everything’s gone’: Many neighborhoods destroyed as fire, smoke devastate Oregon families, workers and homeless
“This is our Katrina… You see it on TV but you can never understand unless you go through it,” said one resident of the fire ripping through Oregon.

Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/ApmY67kjJQEWEWiNvOcwoWA

Shared from Apple News

Thirteen-year-old boy dies in Oregon wildfires with his dog in his lap: Biblical hope for the hardest days we face

Read time: 5 minutes | Read online

In The Daily Article for September 14, 2020

Officials are bracing for a “mass fatality incident”
Hurricane Sally and killer mosquitoes
Why we can and must trust our Father

A trike that was in a small park along Detroit Avenue still stands near the Lake Detroit Market, Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Detroit, OR. (Mark Ylen/Albany Democrat-Herald via AP)

At least thirty-five people have died in West Coast wildfires as of this morning. We are watching apocalyptic images of scorched trees, buildings reduced to rubble, and burned and blackened cars. The fires have produced a smoke cloud that covers almost a million square miles and has traveled 1,300 miles.

Oregon officials are bracing for a “mass fatality incident” after wildfires in their state have burned over one million acres. One story is especially heartbreaking: a thirteen-year-old victim was found with his dog in his lap.

The remains of Wyatt Tofte, his grandmother, and Wyatt’s dog were discovered inside the family car in Marion County, Oregon. A family member told reporters, “He got in there and tried to drive the car and started coming down the hill and then went off to the side for some reason. I guess all the tires were just burned up and everything, the pavement was so hot.”

Killer mosquitoes and the love of God

Tropical Storm Sally is expected to become a hurricane today and appears likely to make landfall near the Louisiana–Mississippi border. It could bring up to twenty-four inches of rainfall with life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds.

Meanwhile, farmers in Louisiana are dealing with a gruesome result of Hurricane Laura: thick swarms of mosquitoes driven from swamps and marshes by the storm have moved inland and are killing cattle and horses. The bugs bite the animals so many times that they die from blood loss and exhaustion trying to evade the swarms.

Add wildfires, hurricanes, and killer mosquitoes to the coronavirus pandemic that has taken more than 924,000 lives as of this morning.

Christians claim that there is a God who is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful. We explain natural disasters as a consequence of the Fall: when humans sinned, all of creation was affected as well (Romans 8:22; Genesis 3:17–19). Prior to Genesis 3, there were no wildfires, hurricanes, or viruses.

We further explain much of innocent suffering as the consequence of misused freedom (cf. James 1:13–15). If someone misuses their free will to get drunk and wrecks their car, this is not God’s fault. It is not even his fault if this person wrecks your car.

However, our all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God sometimes intervenes to prevent the consequences of the Fall and misused free will. Jesus calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–41); the Lord protected Peter from King Herod’s plan to execute him (Acts 12:1–11).

If the Lord sometimes intervenes to prevent innocent suffering, why does he not always intervene? If he could save Peter, why didn’t he save Wyatt Tofte?

My father’s heart disease and your suffering

My father had rheumatic fever in high school. The disease weakened his heart, leading to a heart attack when he was thirty-three years old and his death from a second heart attack at the age of fifty-five.

Our oldest son was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and had to undergo surgery and follow-up radiation. He is now well, but his suffering was another consequence of our fallen world.

I’m sure you can identify times of such suffering in your life and among those you know. In this light, can you still believe in an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God?

The logical answer is that we can. The practical answer is that we must.

Why we can and must trust our Father

On a logical level, the very fact that God is all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful assures us that he redeems our suffering for greater good (cf. Romans 8:28).

Because he is omniscient, he knows our pain (cf. Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20). Because he is all-loving, he wants only what is best for us (1 John 4:8). Because he is omnipotent, he can redeem anything for a greater purpose (cf. Matthew 19:26).

We may not understand such redemption on this side of eternity, but we can believe what we cannot yet see (1 Corinthians 13:12). In the meantime, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

On a practical level, we must not reject the love and power of God when we need them most. It is when we do not understand our suffering that we especially need to trust the One who sees what we cannot (Proverbs 15:3) and who loves us with unconditional grace (Titus 2:11). It is when our pain is greatest that we most need our Great Physician (cf. John 5:1–9).

And it is when life is most painful that God’s people should be most on our knees.

We can pray for rain where wildfires are raging. We can pray for protection and strength for those responding to this unfolding tragedy. We can pray for those in the path of Hurricane Sally, those in danger from wildfires, and those who are struggling with COVID-19.

And we can ask God to use us to answer our prayers in practical ways that incarnate his love and grace.

“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing”

Lauren Daigle’s “You Say,” released more than two years ago, has now become the only song ever to spend one hundred weeks or more at the top of any of the Billboard hot songs charts. Here is the chorus that has touched so many hearts:

You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, oh, you say I am yours.

Our Father is offering you the same assurance right now.

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UPDATED SEPT 12TH, 2020

“Do not let your guard down”: Northern California blazes grow to historic proportions just as fire season starts
OROVILLE, Butte County — While touring a smoldering Butte County on Friday morning, a visibly exasperated Gov. Gavin Newsom laid plain the climate-change emergency facing California during this record wildfire season and assailed the country’s response to it.

Read in San Francisco Chronicle: https://apple.news/AgLrx5ks5Te2jTe5DXnULxQ

Hurricane-force winds in Utah flip 45 semitrucks, kill 1 person as thousands remain without power
Tens of thousands remain without power in Utah after hurricane-force winds blasted portions of the state earlier this week, causing major damage and killing one person, according to officials.

Read in Fox News: https://apple.news/AwHEYKxExQdiuxSpKpFZwCQ

The picture is of me and my Dad, Wally Moede. He served faithfully for many years on the Windom, Minnesota Fire Dept. Grandpa Chris Moede did the same in the early 1900’s. My cousin John Moede also served. I served on the Osceola, Indiana Fire Dept. back in the 80’s for 3 years. This picture had to be taken in the early 80’S.

A Fireman’s Glove

A fireman’s gloves hold many things
From elderly arms to a kids broken swing
From the hand they shake and the back they pat
To the tiny claw marks of another treed cat
At 2am they are filled with chrome
From the DUI who was on her way home
And the equipment they use to roll back the dash
From the family she involved in that crash

The brush rakes in spring, that wear the palms out
When the wind does a 90 to fill them with doubt
The thumb of the glove wipes the sweat from the brow
Of the face of a fireman who mutters What Now?

They hold an inch and three quarters flowing one twenty five
So the ones going in, come back alive
When the regulators ring; then there isn’t too much
But the bypass valve they eagerly clutch

The rescue equipment, the ropes, the C collars
The lives they saved never measured in dollars
Are the obvious things a fireman’s gloves hold
Or so that is what I’ve always been told

But there are other things those gloves do touch
Those are the things we all need so much

The hold back the rage on that 3am call
They hold in the fear when you’ve lost the wall
They hold back the pity, agony, sorrow
They hold in the desire to do it tomorrow.

A glove, just a glove till it’s on a firefighter
Who worked all day just to pull an all night’er
And into the fray they charge without fear
At the sound of help they think they hear.

Off comes the gloves when the call is done
And into the pocket until the next run
The hands become lonely and cold for a bit
And even shake just thinking of it
They’re not so brave now; their hands they can’t hind
I guess it just means they are human inside

And though some are paid and others are not
The gloves feel the same when its cold or its hot
To someone you’re helping to just get along
When you fill them with love, you always feel strong

And so when I go on my final big ride
I hope to have my gloves close by my side
To show to St. Peter at the heavenly Gates
Cause as we all know, Firefighters just don’t wait

UPDATED Sept. 10th, 2020

My heart sinks as these fires destroy so very much, including lives. Firefighters from New Mexico are helping as well as Firefighters from Israel! We have had very cool temps the last two days here in New Mexico, snow and rain in parts of the state.

3 dead as wildfire explodes in Northern California

Israeli Firefighters Join Effort

Massive smoke clouds from wildfires darken West Coast sky

A Northern California wildfire threatened thousands of homes after winds whipped it into a monster that incinerated houses in a small mountain community and killed at least three people.PHOTOS: Hazy clouds of smoke from dozens of wildfires darkened the sky to an eerie orange glow over much of the West Coast.Pacific Northwest Wildfires
VIDEO: Massive flames, smoke plumes in Oregon.
Overview

In many western areas of the United States and Canada, every year brings the risk of wildfires, especially between August to November. The 2020 season has started with intensity with fires in several states and provinces. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) is following all fires and reporting on the largest and most destructive ones. Please see our What We’re Watching: Weekly Disaster Update blog every Tuesday afternoon for more updates.Here is the Latest

Fireman’s Prayer

When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child
Before it’s too late,
Or some older person
from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
To guard my neighbor
And protect his property.

And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife

History of the Fireman’s Prayer

The only way he could find to ease the pain of such a tragedy was to sit down and put his thoughts on paper. The phrase, “enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout”, sends a chill up a firefighter’s spine as you imagine what he experienced on that fateful night. It was a particularly tough time for him as he had young children around the same age.While most accounts of the Firemen’s Prayer conclude with Author Unknown, the world renowned poem was written by Firefighter A.W. “Smokey” Linn. As a young firefighter in 1958 Linn and his crew responded to a fire in which three children were trapped behind security bars and died in the fire.

His granddaughter, Penny McGlachlin said that back then there were no grief counselors to help the firefighters. Penny believes this was an actual prayer from him, to god for the sake of his own family, the other fireman, and the families of the children.

Smokey joined the Wichita, Kansas Fire Department in 1947 after returning from World War 2. He retired in 1975 and became president of the local chapter of the Good Sam Camping Club. He passed away March 31, 2004 of complications following surgery.

The Fireman’s Prayer was originally published in a book called, “A Celebration of Poets” in 1958. The last copyright of the book was 1998. It is the family’s desire that the credit for the Firemen’s Prayer go to the author, A.W. Smokey Linn.

“A war zone”: Northern California wildfires rage as fire threat poised to rise
Highly dangerous weather conditions that are expected to arrive in Northern California on Sunday morning threaten to compound the devastating fires that plague the region as resource-strapped firefighters struggle to control the crisis.

Read in San Francisco Chronicle: https://apple.news/AMQyvYYDQRiq8jfFtdbkTpA

NM Firefighters Answer the Call to go to California

Shared from Apple News

California wildfires among largest in history as state asks Australia and Canada for help
Blazes have burned more than 900,000 acres as resources are stretched thin, with at least 100,000 displaced

Read in The Guardian: https://apple.news/Aq0TNLLWGSO-hGRWD7NkTQA

Shared from Apple News

I awake early every morning to report the news from a Biblical perspective….the Lord shows me and speaks to me through His word. I see the devastation in California, I was a firefighter back in the 80’s, these men and women risk their lives fighting these fires. Albuquerque Fire and Rescue has sent Firefighters and two trucks to California to help. There is a shortage of Firefighters and equipment to fight these monster fires. Then overnight we learn of the bomb threats to Federal Buildings in Portland. So many Mayors and Governors are cowards in these dark days. We have become a lawless nation, as I have written and spoken about for YEARS! Iowa is still a long way from recovering from the horrific storm they suffered, now we have hurricanes coming toward the United States. Very troubling times indeed. We as Americans are facing these horrific events with no money in the bank, we are broke, the Federal Deficit is way out of control, when the politicians say they are going to send us money, its really monopoly money, play money. We have not been good stewards of our gifts from the Lord. We got too’ fat and sassy’ or as we used to say back home, “too big for our own britches.” This is not a Republican or Democrat problem, it is an AMERICAN PROBLEM. More importantly we are in Spiritual warfare. Politics is helping destroy America. JESUS IS THE ANSWER! AMEN!

As massive Northern California fires spread, threats of more lightning loom
As unpredictable flames raged across the Bay Area Friday, exhausted firefighters and evacuated residents settled in for what promises to be a long fight in the days and weeks ahead.

Read in The Mercury News: https://apple.news/AzOYgOt32S5KG2URwci0wMw

Gracious Father, California burns again, and we desperately need You to act on behalf of panic stricken people. Please be the protector of life in these dreadful seasons of life. I thank You LORD, that You have chosen and gifted people who behave in life as our first responders; these being firemen, policemen, medical helpers of every specialty. Please give them much supernatural courage and protection in their courage. Calm their hearts so that they may function as they have been trained to the best of their abilities.

I ask that You might give favor to those whose homes are in harm’s way. It would be a glorious act if You would save homes along with the many people. And, Father, my heart goes out to all the children. They will have more than enough fear of their own without also taking on the panic of their parents and other adults. We rest in Your divine loving care, In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Thank you Pastor Jerry, we love you so very much!

We are so very thankful for Pastor Richard Mansfield of New Beginnings Church in Albuquerque for leading us in prayer for California. So much of the state is on fire and so many people are without power. This morning I am praying and weeping over California, we have family and friends there. Sharon’s Mom and Brother and Sister and their families live in Elk Grove which is next door to Sacramento.

Prayer for California

Lord, as we hear the news that there are nine severe wildfires in California and now that over a million people are without power, our hearts break for all of those affected by this horrible tragedy. Wrap Your loving arms around all those affected by the fires: Families, Individuals, Firefighters, First Responders and Rescue Workers. Give the firefighters favorable weather as they fight the fires. Protect them and the homeowners as they secure their homes and evacuate their properties and businesses. Reassure everyone of Your peace, power and presence as they process their pain and emotions. We pray that there not be any loss of life and that people will be able to return to their homes quickly along with their electrical power. Give wisdom and direction to the leaders directing the firefighters and the First Responders. We pray these and many more things in Jesus name, Amen

Here is the latest:

Prisoners fight California’s wildfires on the front lines, but get little in return
Inmates save the state about $100 million each year by putting their lives on the line to fight fires, but see little return when they leave prison.Read in FORTUNE: https://apple.news/A3c0Ngl7YQQurFCnT-YOX7AShared from Apple News

Lost track of all the California fires? Here’s what you need to know
Here are evacuations, school closures and containment numbers for blazes burning across the state.Read in Los Angeles Times: https://apple.news/AH8mwfCu2RoSdVc0daL6HAwShared from Apple News

Explosive new wildfire drives thousands from homes near Los Angeles
The Maria fire ignited in Ventura County early Thursday night and raced westward, consuming 4,000 acres in just three hours.Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/AGlTi0bjfQHqLLecvhQ6RbgShared from Apple News

Two new fast-moving wildfires explode in Southern California
New blazes have destroyed homes and prompted mandatory evacuationsRead in CBS News: https://apple.news/Acw4ABfaIRsmmbDX98PyBHwShared from Apple News

Wildfires, power outages cause unprecedented disruption in health care across California
Health care leaders say that California wildfires and PG&E’s planned blackouts are disrupting health care delivery in ways they haven’t seen over the course of their careers. Here’s how they work around it.Read in The Sacramento Bee: https://apple.news/APD43LVy8R_edJeIiC60yFQShared from Apple News

California fire spares Reagan library, still threatens thousands of homes
Hurricane-strength winds could fan the Easy Fire that is threatening 7,000 homes in California’s Ventura County, the National Weather Service warned.Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/Aal5xwgMwQ_6xt3VSm9RWbQShared from Apple News

A new wildfire breaks out in Southern California, threatening Reagan Presidential Library
Gusty winds threatened to spread the Kincade and Getty fires on Wednesday, putting thousands on alert as mass power outages continue in California.Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/APirSYl1eQUWVKOhhlkrL7AShared from Apple News

L.A. fire prompts National Weather Service to issue its first-ever “extreme” red flag warning
It’s one word the National Weather Service in Los Angeles doesn’t want Southern California residents to overlook — extreme.Read in CNN: https://apple.news/A9U3CJ4K-QtWViNALAgmaSQShared from Apple News

More than 25 million people are under red flag warnings in California as fires burn across the state
More than 25 million people in California are under red flag warnings as firefighters continue to battle blazes throughout the state.Read in CNN: https://apple.news/A9U3CJ4K-QtWViNALAgmaSQShared from Apple News

“No end in sight”: California preps for another round of winds as fires continue assault
With an especially fierce round of Santa Ana winds on the way, PG&E is shutting off power for about 605,000 customers in 29 California counties.Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/AvvaL30okQPu-Ab8c8prGRgShared from Apple News

Hundreds of thousands forced to evacuate as fires rage across California
Residents who evacuated a sprawling Northern California wildfire were rocked by another slap from Mother Nature – a 3.3 magnitude earthquake.

Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/A9liy9pDIS6qp8OpNcA_uBQ

Shared from Apple News

A new fire has broken out in southern California
A growing brush fire is burning along the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center, prompting mandatory evacuation orders in areas west of the freeway.Read in Los Angeles Times: https://apple.news/A6qMQOWWETWurUgIfLeNk6gShared from Apple News

Nearly 200,000 Californians fled their homes and about a million are in the dark. It likely won’t get better yet
A massive blaze forced nearly 200,000 people out of their homes and a power shutoff left about a million in the dark across Northern California on Sunday.Read in CNN: https://apple.news/AVRTJ0OffRFSAtEkr_VLudgShared from Apple News

Hospital Evacuated, Thousands Flee as Wildfire Rages
https://www.weather.com/news/weather/video/california-wildfires-rage-tens-of-thousands-evacuate?pl=pl-the-latest
From The Weather Channel iPhone App

Lights begin going out in California as fires roar, force more from homes
More than 2 million people could be in the dark from the precautionary power outages as hurricane-level winds were expected in some parts of Northern California.Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/A8vPOR_y7ScWRf_13UfwdfwShared from Apple News

PG&E will plunge 2.8 million Californians into darkness in historic blackout
PG&E Corp. will cut power to an estimated 2.8 million Californians on Saturday in the state’s largest — and potentially longest — deliberate blackout ever.

Read in Bloomberg: https://apple.news/AJ9zORtaFTxWYY3eypgK-Kw

Shared from Apple News

PG&E could cut power to more than 2 million people beginning Saturday night
Firefighters struggled Friday against a wildfire burning across Sonoma County wine country as Northern California braced for a weekend of intense winds, critical fire danger and mass power outages.

Read in Los Angeles Times: https://apple.news/A3U8FsH82Tp-dt-AQA6Ka7A

Shared from Apple News

40,000 ordered to evacuate as wildfire spreads north of Los Angeles
The Tick Fire in northern Los Angeles County is one of two major California blazes being fueled by high winds and low humidity.

Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/AhsWAU1v-RE-8n0xfkfE5cw

Shared from Apple News

As fire rages, Northern California faces biggest blackouts ever this weekend
Firefighters struggled Friday against a wildfire burning across Sonoma County wine country as Northern California braced for a weekend of intense winds, critical fire danger and mass power outages.

Read in Los Angeles Times: https://apple.news/A3U8FsH82Tp-dt-AQA6Ka7A

Shared from Apple News

Today’s Headlines

Here are the stories you shouldn’t miss today:

Trump tours Paradise area, calls wildfire a ‘really bad one’

39 MINUTES AGO

From the ashes of a mobile home and RV park, President Donald Trump said Saturday he came to the heart of California’s killer wildfire to fully grasp the scale of the desolation wrought on the landscape.

I’m so very sad to report this news……it continues to worsen….the death toll mounts and people missing keeps going up…Click on the headlines below….

Fire deaths rise to 71 ahead of Trump visit to California

The list of unaccounted for people reached more than 1,000, authorities in Northern California said while continuing their search.

UPDATED NOV. 16th, 2018:

I am praying and weeping as I write you this morning…..my heart is broken….is America paying attention this this horrific tragedy? Is America praying?

I am so sad that our leaders have not called for a National Day of Prayer and Mourning…..We here at FGGAM pray that America comes together in prayer for all those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, for those still missing, for all the Firefighters, Law Enforcement, all First Responders. This is a horrible American tragedy, not just for California. I pray that America prays. This is one of the greatest tragedies in American history…The whole city of Paradise was wiped out by massive fire. can you imagine losing your loved ones to a fire? Can you imagine losing everything in a fire? Can you imagine not being able to find your loved ones? Can you imagine your whole town burning down? Click on the headline below…

California wildfire’s massive toll: 63 dead, 631 missing so far

28 MINUTES AGO

At least 63 people are now dead from a Northern California wildfire, and officials say they have a missing persons list with 631 names on it in an ever-evolving accounting of the victims of the nation’s deadliest wildfire in a century.

UPDATED NOV. 15th, 2018:

Please be in prayer for all…..we are mourning and weeping over this horrific tragedy…..

Our Dear Treasured Friend Pastor Richard Mansfield of New Beginnings Church in Albuquerque and NM Prays leads us in prayer……..

Lord, surround the residents of the neighborhoods that are burning or are in the path of the fires in California. Comfort the families and loved ones of the 56 people that have lost their lives in this fire, 297 are missing. Strengthen all the families and individuals that have lost their entire household. Protect all of the families fleeing for their lives and for all of the fire fighters and first responders that are risking their lives for their communities. Let those families that have been separated or lost be found and reunited. Reassure them of Your love, peace and presence in a time that they think You have forgotten them. Decrease the winds and increase the moisture to help those fighting the fires. Completely bring these fires to an end. I pray in Jesus name, Amen! ????????

Death toll rises to 56 in Northern California’s Camp Fire; missing climbs to 297
NBC News

Authorities released a list of 297 people still unaccounted for. “We’ll be here for several years working this disaster,” said the administrator of FEMA. Read the full story

Refugee camps for fire survivors: California town ‘on the edge’ of humanitarian crisis
The Sacramento Bee

More than 52,000 people have been evacuated since the Camp Fire erupted in Paradise on Thursday, packing parking lots, shelters and hotels across Northern California, and straining the housing stock. Read the full story

UPDATED NOV. 14th, 2018:

A California couple ‘adopted’ a 93-year-old veteran after his town burned to the ground
CNN

Tracy Grant was in a parking lot handing out hamburgers to evacuees from the devastating Camp Fire in Northern California when she encountered Lee Brundige. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

California wildfire rages on with 48 dead, dozens still missing
The Mercury News

An untold number of people remain missing, and it could be days or weeks before their loved ones have answers. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED NOV. 13th, 2018:

The deadliest fire in California history leaves 42 dead with more victims expected
The Sacramento Bee

Now the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, the Camp Fire has killed at least 42 people and destroyed more than 7,600 structures as of Cal Fire’s incident report 7 a.m. Tuesday. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED NOV. 12th, 2018:

31 dead in devastating California wildfires. Here’s what to know
TIME

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED NOV. 11th, 2018:

Multiple wildfires across California leave at least 25 dead
NBC News

“I will tell you that this weighs heavy on all of us,” said Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED Nov. 10th, 2018:

‘We’re not going to die like this’: Nine confirmed dead in California’s most destructive fire
The Sacramento Bee

Nine people are confirmed dead in Paradise, California, Friday by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Flames from the 70,000-acre Camp Fire consumed their cars as they tried to flee, authorities said. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED Nov. 9th, 2018:

Southern California town reels from two tragedies: a mass shooting and a destructive wildfire
Los Angeles Times

It had been a hellish 24 hours for the Thousand Oaks resident Melissa Snyder. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

Five people were killed in their vehicles trying to escape Northern California fire
The Mercury News

The wildfire quadrupled in size overnight, to 110 square miles, and is only 5 percent contained. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

Southern California fires force evacuation of 75,000 homes

Yes, The Camp Fire. Again, California struggles with yet more fires, one in the area near to Thousand Oaks, referred to as The Hill Fire, where we are dealing with the aftermath of yesterday night’s mass shooting, and a much larger and fast moving fire in northern California, called The Camp Fire. The Camp Fire has been reported as moving the equivalent of 80 football fields per minute, and last reported at over 18,000 acres. The town of Paradise, in Butte County, and having a population of 26,000 people, has suffered much damage and understood to be under mass evacuations. Paradise is about 85 miles north of Sacramento. There are approximately 500 firefighters on scene. Again, California begs your prayers, as even now more fires are being reported.

We Pray:
Precious LORD, in the face of these fires of both northern and southern California, we are very grateful that we can reach our hands to You for our help and strength. Dear LORD Jesus, take our hands and lead us on through the terror of the night as our world burns around us. We appreciate life every so keenly in times of danger. Help those who fight the fires, and those who flea them, to face these obstacles victoriously in every aspect, whether in advancement or retreat for safety. Do not allow the people to be overwhelmed or lose faith in their All-Powerful God. May each realize that You, LORD, are greater than the disasters they may be facing in the heat of the moment, and that You will work it out for the better. I pray that the victims and the responding warriors will stand strong in their faith in You.
I ask LORD, that You will raise up those who will share the love of Christ with the workers and the victims by meeting their needs, immediate and long-term.
My God, awaken Your Church to trust You in these times of multiple disasters and threats worldwide. These are the times the Bride of Christ must rise and shine before a crumbling and frightening world. This is the right time to reveal the peace of God to others by living out the Truths of Psalm 46. I pray for Your Church, LORD, pour Yourself into her so that she may pour herself out for all others. May Your Bride reflect godliness, purity, and great hope instead of evil. I pray that the people of God shine His light in these darkest of times.
I pray for the salvation of souls as Your people follow the Spirit’s lead in sharing their faith, as during disasters and times of difficulties, people are often open to the Gospel. They need hope, and You, LORD, have the hope of eternal life; the refuge that everyone needs.
Now Father, I am concerned for the very lives and the homes and the possessions of those in the paths of these raging infernos. Please extend favor to all in harm’s way. Please protect those who are risking life and limb battling all these extreme fire threats. For those who have been injured, comfort and heal; for those who have lost life in sacrifice to others, have mercy on them and grace and comfort for the surviving families. All we have is You, LORD God, and You are all we need. We call upon You in the Victor, Jesus’ name, Amen!

‘The whole town’s on fire’: Residents flee as Northern California community burns
The Sacramento Bee

Desperate residents of the Northern California town of Paradise described a horrifying scene Thursday as the massive Camp Fire tore through the area, destroying cars, burning a hospital and forcing some to run from the flames as traffic out of town came to a halt. Read the full story

UPDATED July 31st, 2018:

Two huge California fires, four firefighters dead — and the fire season just started. Why?
The Mercury News

The fire claimed its sixth life Sunday, when firefighters discovered a person inside a home that had been under evacuation orders. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED July 30th, 2018:

What It’s Like To Battle California’s Catastrophic Wildfires
BuzzFeed News

As the state’s wildfire seasons get longer and more devastating, firefighters are adjusting to a new and “frightening” normal. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

UPDATED July 30th, 2018:

We pray for all the families involved in this tragedy.

A Fireman’s Golve