Flames shoot from a hillside. Photo by DNN.

More than a dozen wildfires, pushed by powerful winds, continue across Southern California, forcing the evacuation of at least 250,000 people from their homes and threatening thousands of residences.  At least one person has been killed and four fire fighters have been injured.

Burning wildfires have been reported from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border and new fires continue to erupt. According to Glenn Massey of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, "It is a wind-driven fire. Basically it (the fire) is hop-scotching from one neighborhood to another neighborhood.”  Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in at least seven counties.

The 287-member Malibu Presbyterian Church, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, burned to the ground.   Also destroyed was the landmark Castle Kashan, a fortress-like hilltop home owned by philanthropist Lilly Lawrence.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has responded by sending the Reverends Beth Goss and Mark White to Los Angeles to meet with Pacific Presbytery staff and staff of the Malibu Presbyterian Church.  Both Goss and White have experience in providing spiritual and emotional care to disaster survivors.  

One Great Hour of Sharing funds are available to help the Malibu Presbyterian Church continue its ministry and to help provide a humanitarian response to the community. 

PDA is in contact with presbyteries throughout the fire-affected areas with a ready response as needed. 

Please continue to pray for all those living under threat of fire, the courageous firefighters, the caregivers and Presbyterian congregations in the disaster area.