BOULDER, CO (September 14, 2010) – The house of a family who attends New Day Covenant Church was destroyed by a wildfire that spread through the area last week, but other members who had been under mandatory evacuation were allowed to return to their homes, Pastor Doug White said Sunday night.
New Day made arrangements with the Boulder Heights Fire Department to make the church available as an evacuation center when the fire erupted September 6. As a result, several people spent at least two nights at the church. Some of the evacuees had been unable to find other locations to stay because they had pets. Those people have since found other temporary shelter or returned to their residences.
“Our mission has changed from being an emergency evacuation center to now ministering to the individual needs as they are becoming known,” said Smith. The church has begun setting up food supplies and provided one family with a large generator so they can keep their appliances and lights going until power is restored, which could be several weeks.
“We are also arranging donated temporary housing for people who will be needing a place for several months or longer,” Smith said. “We have also arranged for some contractors and architects who are donating time and labor to help people rebuild.”
Local officials reported this morning that the Fourmile Canyon Fire destroyed 169 homes, although that number may still change, and that the blaze was nearly 90 percent contained. Authorities believe the blaze may have started in a fire pit at someone’s home.
