by Trever Jobinger
Devastating fires burning across California, the Creek Fire has been the most impactful for students as well as teachers at Minarets.
The Creek Fire started on Sep. 4 and, as of now, has burned more than 352,339 acres within two counties (Fresno and Madera) and is only 61% contained. The Creek Fire has impacted thousands of lives and homes with more than 856 structures destroyed and even one reported death. The Creek Fire’s cause has not been determined yet, but there is an ongoing investigation in place.
Because of the fire’s close proximity to the local community, some staff and students have had to be evacuated themselves. Junior Sam Walls, who had to be evacuated by the National Guard from Mammoth Pools, was asked what the atmosphere was like during the evacuation. Walls answered, “People were obviously scared because of the fires but everyone had a sense of community and everyone helped each other out.” Walls also said that, “The National Guard did an excellent job handling the evacuation and that everything ran safely and smoothly.”
There's no doubt that this fire has been devastating to many people. That being said, the community has rallied together in this time of need, delivering donated food and water to the brave first responders.
Minarets High School has also been a key player in helping emergency responders take care of injured or people impacted by the fire. The high school served as the base camp for the north side of the fire.
If you want to contribute to the relief efforts but don’t know how, please feel free to make a $10 cash donation to the Red Cross by texting CAWILDFIRES to 90999 or visit redcross.org/donate/donation.html.
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