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Posted: 09/22/2015 at 1:58pm
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Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplains in California as Hundreds of Homes Burn in Butte and Valley Fires
By Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
 CHARLOTTE,
N.C. (ANS. SEPT. 18) Crisis-trained chaplains with the Billy Graham
Rapid Response Team are in California to minister to the emotional and spiritual
needs of those who have been affected by the widespread Butte and Valley
Fires.
According to a story by Sarah Heise for KCRA, after days of battling the
massive fires in Northern California, firefighters continue to make good
progress Friday in containing the blazes.
In Amador and Calaveras counties, KCRA said according to Cal Fire the Butte
Fire stands at 70,760 acres burned and is up to 60 percent containment,
The Valley Fire in Lake County has charred 73,700 acres, but the 4,000
firefighters working the front lines were able to increase containment to 40
percent, Cal Fire said.
That blaze has destroyed 585 homes and hundreds of other structures, but
that number is expected to go up once crews are able to get into the burn area
and better assess the region.
A news release from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) said
news reports indicate that there are three confirmed fatalities, with several
more people missing.
“These fires are fierce and their destructive strength is overwhelming,”
said Jack Munday, international director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response
Team, speaking in the news release.
He added, “There are so many that need our prayers at a time such as this.
Please join us in praying for the firefighters who are placing their lives on
the line, for the authorities overseeing the entire situation, and especially
for those who have lost loved ones and homes in this tragedy.”
Efforts will begin in earnest over the coming days as additional chaplains
arrive and homeowners are allowed to return to what is left of their homes to
begin the difficult process of recovery.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has responded in coordination with
Samaritan’s Purse, the Christian disaster relief organization headed by Franklin
Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association.
According to the news release, the response to the Butte and Valley Fires
will be the first wildfire deployments for the chaplaincy ministry this
year.
This is the fourth year that the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has
traveled to California for fire-related disasters, following efforts near San
Diego in 2003; Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Madera and Fallbrook in 2007;
and Yorba Linda in 2008.
About the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed by the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association following the attacks of Sept. 11 2001.
It has since grown into a nationwide network of chaplains in 48 states who
are specifically trained to deal with crisis situations. They have deployed to
more than 195 disaster sites, including shootings, floods, hurricanes, wildfires
and tornadoes
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Topic: Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplains in California as Hundreds of Homes Burn in Butte and Valley Fires
