Community shows support for wildfire crews, victims

For weeks now, firefighters from across Snohomish County, including District 3 in Monroe, District 5 in Sultan and District 26 in Gold Bar, have been deployed to help fight wildfires in several areas of northern and eastern Washington.

The situation has become increasingly dire as the fires continue to burn. U.S. Forest Service firefighters Richard Wheeler, 31, Andrew Zajac, 26, and Tom Zbyszewski, 20, were killed near Twisp on Aug. 19. The Twisp fire was part of the Okanogan Complex Fire, which, so far, has consumed more than 302,224 acres.

Last Wednesday, District 5 deployed an engine and crew to assist with structural fire protection at the Upper Skagit Complex Fire. Located in the North Cascades, the Upper Skagit Complex Fire has been burning since Aug. 10, consuming more than 7,870 acres.

Districts 26 and 3 have continuously dedicated resources to aid in firefighting efforts across the state.

Aside from fire service resources, the Sky Valley community has sought ways to help both the firefighters working exhaustively to douse the flames and the victims who have lost their homes and belongings.

American Legion Arthur Kincaid Post 58 members Robert Critser, Jerry Taylor and Larry "WoodyGÇ¥ Woods collected donations at the Monroe Farm to Table Farmers market to help wildfire victims on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Gold Bar resident Steffany Sears decided she wanted to help both firefighters and the victims, so she orchestrated a massive supply drive. She coordinated donations all last week, collecting dry goods, clothing, food, pet supplies and more. She collaborated with local businesses, including KJ's Used Electronics in Sultan, which served as a collection point for donations.

Wanting to personalize her efforts, Sears reached out to Sultan Boys & Girls Club Teen Director Ruth Shapovalov to find out if she could encourage a few kids to craft handmade greeting cards for the firefighters. Shapovalov tasked kids from the Monroe and Sultan Boys & Girls Clubs with creating a batch of cheerfully colored "thank youGÇ¥ cards.

Sears sent a Ford F-350 pickup truck filled with donated pet food to the Chelan area on Friday morning. She followed close behind with a minivan packed full of additional donations, including medical supplies, lip balm and water. She made the trip with her husband, John, and father, Graham Cobb, on Friday evening. The trio also brought $600 in cash and gift cards from residents of Monroe, Sultan and Gold Bar.-á -á

"We live in the most incredible community,GÇ¥ Sears said. "People I know who have very little themselves have donated peanut butter and cereal ' anything to contribute and show, not only the firefighters, but our neighbors that we care and want to help.GÇ¥