The American Red Cross deployed two crews in Emergency Response Vehicles to wildfires in two separate locations on Tuesday. Firefighters and county emergency managers requested assistance to help feed and hydrate crews battling the fires.
The Red Cross is assisting close to 200 firefighters near Wolf Creek, MN and close to 40 firefighters in LaMoure County (just outside of Marion, ND). Additional Red Cross crews are on standby to respond if more wildfires break out due to the high winds and dry conditions in the region.
“We certainly recognize that there are threats to wildfires in the region,” said Red Cross Regional Emergency Services Director, Tom Tezel. “We are on alert to respond if we are called upon to assist those battling these fires.”
The National Interagency Fire Center’s Predictive Services reports there will be a significant potential for wildfires this month in several states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Oregon, and California. Severe drought conditions in the Midwest raise the possibility for severe early season fire activity continuing into the summer.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.