After a lull caused by recent evacuations and air quality concerns, rebuilding of homes burned in last summer’s Carlton Complex Fire has resumed.
The Carlton Complex Long Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG), which is conducting the rebuilding campaign, dedicated its first two completed homes, one in Brewster and one in Malott, last month.
Volunteer crews are completing the interiors of five additional homes — two in Twisp, two in Pateros and one in the Chiliwist — and all but one of the final four foundations for the first phase of reconstruction, which includes 11 homes, have been poured.
“Now that the skies have cleared, we’re seeing an upsurge in volunteer crews coming in,” said Carlene Anders, CCLTRG executive director. “We’ve had five Christian Public Service volunteers here throughout. They’re committed to staying for as long as they’re needed and are doing a fantastic job.
“In addition, we’ve got returning volunteers from North Creek Presbyterian Church. We’ve got new groups arriving from Vancouver, Yakima, and Eugene, Oregon. A bi-national deployment of Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) volunteers is arriving on Oct. 5. Various MDS teams from across the United States and Canada will join other faith-based teams to work throughout the fall and winter, completing interiors,” Anders said.
In mid-October, volunteers from the Dawn Patrol, from Chehalis, will return to help clear dead trees and debris from both the Carlton Complex and Okanogan Complex fires, Anders said.
Help needed
To capitalize on the heavy equipment that may be coming in mid-October, CCLTRG is issuing a call for volunteers knowledgeable about tree falling to cut dead trees the last week of September and first week of October. Buckers and stackers are needed, too.
In addition, skilled fencers are needed to lead crews willing to help replace miles of burned fencing. To volunteer, contact Kathy Power, CCTLRG volunteer coordinator, at Kathy@reawareness.com, or call (509) 429-3133.
CCLTRG has also agreed to assist the grassroots organizations that are forming to help victims of the 2015 fires. Until those organizations are established, fire victims can call Hayley Riach at (509) 923-1979 and get on a list for disaster case management.
To learn more, or to contribute, visit www.CarltonComplexRecovery.com.
