Arizona is on fire. Fires in the southeastern and eastern parts of the state, and as of last night in the north very near Flagstaff, are spreading almost unchecked. The largest, the Wallow fire is not contained and is rapidly spreading because of the dry windy conditions. Episcopalians around the state are organizing a response in concert with other church organizations.
From an news report on The Diocese of Arizona’s website:
“The Rev. Lucie Thomas, Nogales: “Please keep the people of Tubac and Rio Rico in your prayers as the Murphy Fire is still not contained. I have a number of parishioners who live along the edge of Peck Canyon. The firefighters are doing a good job and so far no evacuations have had to take place, although one of our ranching families has lost about two-thirds of their grazing allotment. Some members of St. Andrew’s made and delivered 200 energy packets for those on the fire lines on Saturday.” June 6, 2011
The Rev. Stewart McDonald, Trinity Lutheran-Episcopal Congregation, Willcox: “With all the wild fires around here, our air is really smoky. It was especially bad in Willcox with the Wallow fire to the north and the Horseshoe 2 fire just south. Please add a prayer for rain to break this drought. We have had less than a half an inch this year. It is really, really dry and dangerous.” June 5, 2011″
More here.
Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix is collecting emergency supplies on behalf of the diocese for the firefighters and the people being displaced. The Senior Warden of Church of Our Savior in Lakeside will be coming by on Friday morning to transport the supplies to the area. If you’re in Phoenix, or know someone in the area, everyone would be grateful for the help.