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Tampa Red Cross Volunteers Head To California Fire Zones

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

TAMPA - Ten volunteers with the Tampa chapter of the American Red Cross will head into the fire zones of California this week to help open shelters and feed evacuees or whatever else is needed in the shadows of the wildfires that are ravaging southern California.

The volunteers will fly into San Diego, said Melanie Koch, who is in charge of media relations with the local chapter of the Red Cross.

They are departing today and Thursday, she said, and will help shelters, participate in feeding programs and assist in mental health care and casework, she said.

They will go wherever they are needed, Koch said.

They have committed to be there for three weeks, she said. Some volunteers are retired and don't need to worry about local jobs; others get time off, she said.

"We have arrangements with some local businesses to allow their employees to take some time off to volunteer," she said.

Forecasters predicted that high winds that have been pushing the 16 separate fires across the southern region of the state could subside today.

The fires have destroyed 1,600 homes and forced the evacuation of at least 500,000 people.

The fires have burned 410,000 acres, or about 640 square miles, causing at least $100 million in damage. Twenty-one firefighters and at least 24 others have been injured. One person was killed by the flames, and the San Diego medical examiner's officer listed four other deaths as connected to the blazes.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or at kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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