Wildfire Relief

Operation Blessing: Providing Hope Through Wildfire Relief

Wildfires affect many regions across the United States and around the world. When one starts, it can rapidly burn through forests, fields, and neighborhoods—leaving nothing but ash behind. After every natural disaster, survivors strive to recover and desperately need relief. Wildfire relief is no different. People have lost homes and their belongings, and they need help in the aftermath. Operation Blessing specializes in offering assistance to those impacted by disasters like wildfires and other natural disasters all around the world.

Operation Blessing Wildfire Relief

Operation Blessing is a charity committed to helping people in some of their toughest times. Disaster relief requires planning and expertise. The following are some of the key components of our relief efforts that enable us to help as many people in need as we possibly can.

Local Partner Collaboration

After a disaster like a wildfire happens, many local organizations often respond to the crisis. These groups know their communities as well as key civic leaders, distribution points, and the most efficient ways to engage with residents. Operation Blessing partners with these organizations to coordinate the most effective wildfire relief possible. This collaboration can involve local leaders, church networks, government workers, and other groups that can help us direct our aid strategically. This allows us to reach more people in need.

Supply Distribution

In the aftermath of a disaster, basic supplies are often scarce. Wind, water, earthquakes, and especially fire cause untold damage. They destroy stores and other access points for food, water, and critical items. Operation Blessing helps procure and supply these items to people who have often lost everything. In many cases, we even prepare hot meals since disaster survivors have no access to their homes or kitchens.

Preparation

Planning and preparation are key in dealing with the aftermath of any disaster. Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team is prepared to encounter various different disasters across the United States and worldwide. Our trained and experienced staff is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

In order to respond effectively to disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires, we must have the necessary supplies on hand. Our warehouses which are positioned in key locations, are stocked with supplies that are generally needed in a variety of disaster relief efforts. We focus on food, clean water, hygiene supplies, and cleanup kits. We also have a fleet of vehicles and well-stocked tools, so we can be ready to deploy rapidly within the United States.

Clean Water

Staying hydrated is essential to survival. When the clean water supply has been contaminated due to a disaster, getting water can be very difficult. Wildfires can damage or destroy much of the existing infrastructure—contaminating water—cutting off an essential lifeline wildfire victims must have to survive.

Operation Blessing uses a variety of methods to make sure wildfire survivors have the hydration they need. One simple way is to provide bottled water. Operation Blessing warehouses are already stocked with ready-to-deploy supplies like bottled water, so we can quickly respond after a disaster like a wildfire.

Wildfire Relief in Action

Operation Blessing has been helping with disasters, including wildfires, for decades.

Three key examples include:

Hawaii Wildfires

In the summer of 2023, deadly wildfires spread through Lahaina, a small town in Maui. The damage from the Hawaii wildfires was massive. A large portion of Lahaina was completely destroyed. But thanks to our faithful partners, Operation Blessing was there to help families who had lost their homes and belongings. Knowing disaster survivors needed critical supplies like water and hygiene items, the team deployed immediately. We partnered with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) to make sure that we reached the people who needed it most. We even provided special water filters for those who could not find drinkable water.

Aside from emergency supplies, one of the most immediate needs for residents was shelter. With their homes gone, many families stayed in tents provided by Operation Blessing, but they needed a long-term solution as they worked to rebuild their homes and community. And friends like you met their dire need. In partnership with King’s Cathedral Church and Family Life Center, we provided temporary homes for hundreds of displaced Hawaiians. These ready-to-assemble shelters were specially engineered for quick and flexible set up, but most importantly, they were designed to feel like a home. Together, these homes form Ohana Hope Community.

Texas Wildfire

The Texas wildfire in March, was the largest wildfire in the history of Texas. The fast-spreading inferno affected over 60 counties, charred crops, and burned down many homes. It caused significant destruction across the Texas Panhandle–the largest cattle-producing region in the world, and left a devastating loss of more than 7,000 head of cattle. In partnership with local organizations, Operation Blessing distributed fuel cards, provided hot meals, cleaning kits, drinking water, and cleaning supply kits.

Turkey Wildfires

Turkey also faced wildfires after dealing with a deadly earthquake in 2023. High temperatures provided the right environment for the fires to spread quickly. Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team was already in Turkey providing relief to hurting earthquake victims. We stepped in to help immediately, providing food, water, and supplies to the Forest Police who were fighting the fires. This gave authorities what they needed to continue battling the fires.