Across the Pacific Northwest, communities are facing one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in recent memory. This year alone, more than two million acres have burned across Oregon and Washington.
Thousands of families have been displaced, homes and businesses have been lost, and entire communities are navigating uncertainty about what comes next.
In Spokane, the impact has been severe and widespread. Approximately 60,000 residents—nearly 40% of the city— have been evacuated, and 700 homes and structures have been destroyed.
In Oregon, communities stretching from Central Oregon to the Columbia Gorge have faced ongoing fire activity, evacuation orders and prolonged smoke impacts, creating challenges for families, local businesses and churches alike.
But even in the middle of devastation, we are seeing Foursquare churches rally together in faith, hope, courage and love.
Foursquare Disaster Relief (FDR) is on the ground in Spokane, working directly with pastors and ministry leaders to assess needs, coordinate resources and strengthen the response already taking place through local churches. FDR is providing financial funding, responder support, logistical and operational support, and spiritual and emotional care.
Those funds are helping churches meet real and immediate needs, including housing, hot meals, essential supplies, hygiene kits and counseling services for people affected by the fires.
Many churches have opened their facilities as places of respite, relief and connection. Some are serving as cooling and rest stations where displaced families can spend the day, parents can work remotely, children can play, and people staying with friends or family can have a safe place to breathe.
Other churches are sheltering displaced families, hosting distribution sites and connecting people with counseling support for grief and trauma.
This is the church doing what the church is called to do: showing up with practical help, compassionate presence and the hope of Jesus when people need it most.
Please join us in praying for firefighters and emergency personnel, for families facing evacuation and loss, and for pastors and church leaders carrying significant responsibility in this season.
Wildfires eventually move off the front page, but the recovery journey does not end when the flames are contained. Together, we can help ensure local churches have the resources they need to continue serving their communities in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you for praying, giving and standing with the churches of the Pacific Northwest.
Will you join us in bringing hope and help to those affected by these fires?
Consider donating to Foursquare Disaster Relief’s “Fire Response.” Churches can donate through The Foursquare Hub. In the “additional missions donation” section, you may select “Fire Response.”
