Annabelle Moore, Communications Volunteer, North Texas Region
The brisk coolness of the AC at the View Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in View, Texas brought welcome relief to Taylor County residents evacuating the Mesquite Heat Fire on Wednesday, May 19. Over 100 years old, the small church transformed into an evacuation center this week. American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers worked side-by-side with the Disaster Relief Ministry of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and the View Baptist Church congregation to support locals forced to flee their homes.
Sandra, a Disaster Action Team volunteer, was a blur of activity as she helped church members organize donated food and water. Sandra joined the Red Cross a few months ago and drove in to assist the relief efforts from Fort Worth, Texas. “It means everything to me to help,” said Sandra. “It’s been my life’s work.”
Safe from the 106-degree heat and 15-20 mph winds that pummeled Taylor County throughout the day, evacuees rested, called loved ones, and connected with each other through sharing their stories of escape. However, the unrelenting weather enabled the Mesquite Heat Fire to expand to over 5,000 acres. It triggered evacuation orders for the town of Buffalo Gap, about 15 miles south of Abilene. To better provide for an expected increase in evacuees, the evacuation center moved to Beltway Park Church in Abilene, Texas.
Steve Bales, a Disaster Action Team Supervisor, rounded up the Red Cross volunteer team to move cots and comfort kits to the new evacuation center. Bales was a First Aid instructor for 15 years before joining the Disaster Action Team about 11 years ago. He came up from Brownwood, Texas, to support the fire relief efforts.
“I love volunteer work,” said Bales. “I like to help people who are hurting.” Bales drew on his experience of responding to major disasters like tornados, hurricanes, and floods to get the volunteer team and supplies safely settled and ready to respond. The Red Cross volunteer team provided information and referral to community resources as people arrived at the new evacuation center.
As of Friday afternoon, according to Big Country News, the Mesquite Heat Fire has consumed over 9,000 acres, destroyed around 27 homes, and is 25 percent contained. The Red Cross is working in partnership with the Big Country Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster to provide continued disaster relief support to Taylor County residents in need.
