Volunteers needed for fire recovery

PATEROS - Residents are needed to assist with the small armies of volunteers set to arrive to help the area bounce back from last year's wildfires and mudslide.

"We're looking for individuals to be our local contacts in nine key areas," said Carlene Anders, Carlton Complex Long Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG) executive director. "The areas are Hospitality, Housing, Tools, Volunteer Support, Safety, Yard and Garden, 'Paper Trail'-or record-keeping-and Fundraising."

The Housing team, for example, would compile a list of local housing options, including churches, groups, or individuals willing to house volunteers. Its members would work with Kathy Power, CCLTRG volunteer coordinator, to assist when the volunteers actually arrive.

"In addition to housing, one of our biggest needs is for tools-particularly power tools for the rebuilding that is getting under way," Anders said. "We need things like table saws, chop saws, Sawzalls, jackhammers, drills, compressors, and more. We also need access to heavy equipment, like cargo trailers for transporting tools, pickups and dump trucks for hauling debris, and boom trucks for lifting beams and trusses." To donate tools, please contact George Pearson, at 509-686-1022.

To become a volunteer, please contact Kathy Power at kathy@reawareness.com, or 509-429-3133.