High Desert Chapter, American Red Cross

Red Cross Estimates 18 Families Sustained Direct Loss in Willow Fire

Damage Assessment Team Completes On-Site Survey

Victorville, - In an updated report today, Red Cross workers have opened 11 of 18 estimated cases for families who have sustained loss due to the Willow Fire. Today, the Red Cross Damage Assessment Team completed its survey of the fire scene in the Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley areas with the following results:

Single Family Dwellings

• Destroyed: 14
• Major Damage: 02
• Minor Damage: 01

Mobile Homes

• Destroyed: 01
• Major Damage: 00
• Minor Damage: 00

In its efforts to support those affected by the Willow Fire, the High Desert Chapter American Red Cross has been staffed by 67 workers, the majority of which are volunteers, since opening its relief operations last Sunday.

As of 7 p.m. today, the Red Cross will transfer all its activities related to the Willow Fire back to its chapter headquarters at 16248 Desert Knoll Drive, Victorville. The office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and they can be reached at (760) 245-6511.

Over the past two days, they had been providing relief services at the Church of the Valley Presbyterian USA, in Apple Valley.

Those affected by the Willow Fire are asked to contact the Family Services Caseworkers at the Red Cross for assistance. Caseworkers will identify resources to pay for what they need most, which may include relocation to a new house or apartment, furniture, appliances, new clothing, replacement of personal items destroyed such as eyeglasses, and medicines.

The Red Cross is not a government agency. All disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. Financial contributions enable the Red Cross to provide free assistance to individuals and families regardless of the type of disaster or where it occurs. You can help the victims of this and other disasters by contributing to the High Desert Chapter American Red Cross, 16248 Desert Knoll Drive, Victorville, CA 92392. For further information, please call (760) 245-6511 or visit us on our website at http://www/vvo/com/redcross.