The forest fires in Washington continue to burn, drawing international aid from firefighters and volunteers, including from the San Juan Islands. Six firefighters from San Juan Island, one from Orcas Island and five local Red Cross volunteers have joined the effort to contain the fires and help affected residents.
Red Cross volunteer Allan Smith, 64, from Friday Harbor began Aug. 30 to assist the Colville Shelter, where he said he is helping people affected by the fires by listening to their stories, supplying food, maintaining shelter supplies, administration and looking after pets.
“There is really no normal day, one always carries one’s gear because you seldom end up where you started,” Smith wrote in an email to the Journal. “As the fire behavior changes, one’s day gets re-ordered, even hour to hour. Red Cross days here are officially 12 hours but in reality we work till the work is done.”