DAYTON, Wash. ― The American Red Cross Blue Mountain Chapter in Walla Walla is seeking $18,000 in donations from area businesses and individuals to offset the cost of the local wildfire emergency. Pacific Power donated $2,000 to the Red Cross drive, which is helping Dayton-area families with food and other supplies.

The Columbia Complex fires have burned about 66,600 acres in Columbia and Walla Walla counties. It now is the top firefighting priority in the nation, according to officials. More than 500 firefighters from Oregon, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico are battling the fires. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire declared a statewide wildfire emergency Wednesday, allowing state agencies to spend additional money to fight the fires.

“We have a shelter open in Dayton, which isn’t used as a residence, but is a central gathering place to get information,” said Terry E. Hackney, Blue Mountain Chapter executive director. “We are contracting with the hospital in Dayton to prepare meals and we are delivering them to affected residents. The fire burned well into the city limits of Dayton, threatening Dayton General Hospital and causing evacuation of the nursing home annex. The fire also threatened homes in the city and county.”

To date, the Red Cross has provided more than 800 meals to evacuees and expects to be serving many more today. Two homes south of Dayton were lost and the Red Cross is providing assistance to both affected families.

“We’re hopeful that other businesses will step up and help the Red Cross help others,” said Bill Clemens, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “People can send in a donation or go online.”

Please send checks to: American Red Cross 175 S. Park Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362. To donate online, go to  www.redcross.org . By putting in your zip code, the funds will be directed to the local chapter.

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