Disaster Response

When disaster strikes, lives are forever changed. There are numerous ways you can help others recover from the unexpected.

Useful Links

  • Click here for the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Susanville, CA.

  • Click each name for CA wildfire maps from Arc-Gis, NWCG, SarTopo, The Lookout, Cal Topo, and YubaNet.

  • Click here to see a map of evacuation zones and statuses.

  • Get info about active fires at Cal-Fire and InciWeb. Scroll and click on the fire of interest to get more details about it.

  • Click here for Cal-Trans updates on road conditions.

  • Click here for Cal-Trans traffic cameras to see road conditions.

  • Click here for the American Psychological Association’s excellent “Resources on Responding to a Disaster.”

  • Click here for Oregon’s Public Health Division’s great FAQ about the impact of wildfire smoke on your health (and the health of your children and animals).

  • Click here to donate to the United Methodist Church’s California-Nevada Disaster Response Fund. All donations stay in our region and directly address the immediate needs of people who have suffered losses.

Be Prepared!

You can proactively help yourself and others be prepared to respond quickly and safely when emergencies happen. CAL FIRE has excellent lists and recommendations on its website. Please read their info and follow their suggestions.

Responding After a Disaster

Steve Elliott, California-Nevada Conference Volunteers in Mission coordinator reminds us that, “Our Conference response to wildfires is very much a ministry of presence - walking along side those in need.” Here are several ways Steve suggests we can train and prepare for service:

1. Click here to register to become a disaster response volunteer. You will be notified about training and service opportunities.
2. Commit to being trained by taking a class. Introduction to Volunteering in a Wildfire Response or the Basic Early Response Team Training are both available.
3. Offer to serve on one of our Conference’s wildfire response efforts, either short term during the relief phase or later on during the recovery/rebuilding phase.
4. Click here to access our disaster response ministry web page with downloadable resources on how to build a fire bucket and how to get involved in being part of the recovery.

If you would like a virtual or in person presentation on wildfire volunteering contact Steve Elliott, UMVIMCoordinator@calnevumc.org.

”We are called to be God's agents of mercy. Let us together pray with our hearts, hands, and feet as we help our local churches and communities face disasters!” ~ Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño