What you need to know about the Creek Fire and How to Help
Everything you need to know about the Creek Fire and info on how to help the relief efforts.
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☀️Good morning, Fresno! It is Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020
It seems 2020 is not letting up. The Creek Fire has been raging since Friday night. I hope everyone made it out safe, and for everyone with family up there, I hope your loved ones are alright. It hurts to see such a beautiful part of our Valley destroyed. Below is an overview of everything you need to know about the Creek Fire. The Community Board today will only feature resources to help support our firefighters and other relief efforts. The same information can be found on our Instagram if you want to share it on social media. You can also forward this email to a friend.
If you know someone who’s an evacuee, link them to our Evacuee Resources post
Keep safe everyone. I hope everyone’s maintaining their mental health!
-Ram 🧡
Where/When/How did the Creek Fire start?
It started near Big Creek and Huntington Lake, north of Shaver Lake, on the evening of Friday, Sept. 4.
Originally, three acres in size, firefighters were able to contain it to an acre before it exploded and spread to 300 acres, growing in size Saturday morning.
The origin of the fire or the ensuing explosion is still unknown.
“Aircraft were deployed to knock the fire down. They thought they had it pretty well handled. It was knocked down to less than an acre. But within a matter of really just a handful of minutes the fire exploded and was up to 300 acres.”
-Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig representative for the eastern part of Fresno County, including Big Creek, Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake to the Fresno Bee, Sept. 8, 2020
How big is the fire?
As of Sept. 9, it is 162,833 acres at 0% containment.
ID: Map of the area around Big Creek with the area of the fire shaded. The site where the fire started is marked.
How much damage has it done?
As of Sept. 8, 365 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Several structures have been burnt down such as the Cressman's General Store along Highway 168 and Shaver Ranch.
There are more than 5,000 structures threatened by the fire.
How many people have been evacuated?
According to Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brandon Pursell, 30,000 people have been evacuated from Fresno County.
Madera County Sheriff Commander Bill Ward said 4,000 people have bee evacuated from Madera County with another 15,000 going under evacuation orders.
1,060 fire personnel have been assigned to this fire and all efforts are focused on saving structures in Shaver Lake.
What does containment mean and when will the fire be contained?
According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) it means:
The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.
This can be done through natural barriers such as creeks and rivers or through human intervention such as cutting dried vegetation or dried wood.
The estimated containment date is Oct. 15, 2020.
Was this fire caused by a gender reveal party?
This one was not. The cause of the Creek Fire is still being investigated. The one that was caused by the gender reveal party is the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County
📌How to Help with Creek Fire Relief Efforts
Below are links to several relief efforts ongoing. Email us at contact@fivebyfivenine.com or DM us on Twitter or Instagram if you want something added to the next newsletter or highlighted on our social media.
You can also access this info through our Instagram Highlight.
Direct Cash Donations
Red Cross
Donation Link or call 1-800-REDCROSS or text the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 Donation
Fresno State SAAC for California Wildlife Relief
Donate to help the Central Valley Red Cross
Better Period
Collecting donations to menstruators affected by the Creek Fire. Check link above for info on donation pickups.
Amazon Wishlist
Paypal
Big Creek School
Asking for gift certificates to Walmart/Target
Mail or drop it off at Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
1111 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 265-3000
Joe’s Steakhouse Feeding First Responders
Contact their Instagram for info on how to donate or contact Jackie (559) 486-3536.
Feed a Frontline Responder of the Creek Fires
Red Barn Coffee Company and BooBoo Bean Bakery and Cafe are providing breakfast burritos and water to fire crews. They already exceeded their $5000 goal with $19,590!!! They are still accepting more donations at the link above.
You can also drop off money directly at BooBoo Bean Bakery and Cafe.
2063 W Bullard Ave, Fresno, CA 93711
Central California Animal Disaster Team
Donate on their website
Evolution Quarter Horses
Working with Big Creek Fire and SQF Complex Fire to rescue livestock and return them to their homes. Donations will be used for fuel, water buckets and hay.
Venmo: @RafterC
Paypal: BCadigan1367@gmail.com
GoFundMe Link
What kind of donations are donation sites generally accepting?
Water
Gatorade
Protein/Granola bars
Snacks
Diapers
Baby Food
Toilet Paper
Masks
Any non-perishable items
Check with the specific posts for any specific donations
Donation Sites
Clovis Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, Sept. 9
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Willow Creek Healthcare Center
650 W. Alluvial Ave, Clovis, CA 93611
Contact Sammy (559) 999-1937 or Shayna (559) 977-6812
Clovis Hills Community Church
All week
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10590 N Willow Ave, Clovis, CA 93619
Looking specifically for tall wool socks, kids items for comfort (stuffed animals, coloring sets, bagged LEGOs) and toiletries. Clothing must be NEW due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Fresno/Clovis/Madera Marine Corps
10 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Fresno/Clovis Location: 738 W Shaw Ave, Clovis, CA 93612
Madera Location: 2263 W Cleveland Ave, Madera, CA 93637
The Little Gym Fresno
Sept. 9 - 11
11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
9525 N Sommerville Dr Ste 109, Fresno, CA 93720
In addition to regular donations, asking for diapers, baby formula, wipes, kids flip flops, crayons and coloring books.
Valley Animal Center
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3934 N Hayston Ave, Fresno, CA 93726
Looking for any pet-related items: dog/cat food, disinfectant, crates, blankets
Proceeds Donations
Here are some businesses donating some or all of their proceeds to relief efforts.
Fresno Street Eats
Fresno Street Eats will be donating a portion of their sales from all their pop-up events this week. Check out the schedule below.
Two Cities Coffee Roasters
A portion of all of their online orders and in-person will be donated. It will go until Sept. 12. Order online here.
This newsletter was written by Ram Reyes (@vibesradiator) and edited by Tommy Tribble (@tomiiwrites) | Follow Five By Five Nine on Instagram & Twitter