Volunteers swarmed Yarnell and Glen Ilah on the day the fire-scarred communities reopened to the outside world.
Workers from the Red Cross handed out tools and gloves to people wanting to sift through the remains of their houses, resident Celia Guiles said Wednesday. Piles of donated bottled water and juice were within walking distance of her home. Volunteers like Courtney Gerwitz and Leonard Melcher of Tempe and Doug Aper drove there just to assist any way they could, digging gardens, removing rubble.
Guiles’ house is OK, but the devastation to the two communities is widespread. The fire damaged or destroyed at least 115 structures in Yarnell and Glen Ilah.
There is grief among those returning but also hope amid the outpouring of help they are receiving, Guiles said.
“I’ll tell you what,” she said, “this town is going to make it.”
State, county and non-profit emergency-services organizations are providing immediate help in Yarnell in the aftermath of the Yarnell Hill Fire. State fire officials announced late Wednesday that the fire was 100 percent contained.
Today, volunteers will begin manning a food bank at Yarnell Elementary School. On Tuesday, Gov. Jan Brewer asked President Barack Obama to declare the area a federal disaster area, which would give residents federal aid.
Community leaders are also pulling together to draw up long-term plans for Yarnell’s recovery.
Five local organizers are heading up the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group, a steering committee to coordinate the support pouring in and to manage donations after emergency services leave town.
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