Locally and nationally, the Episcopal community has rallied to support those impacted by the firestroms in Southern California. Contributions to an annual appeal in the Diocese of Los Angeles have been earmarked for fire relief.

Episcopal Relief and Development (The Episcopal Church’s disaster relief agency) have also announced they will provide "technical suppoort to partners in California that are being affected by the devastating and fast-growing Palisades, Woodley, Eaton and Hurst fires." 

The Episcopal News service for the Diocese of Los Angeles has reported that there has been "a resilient outpouring of prayers, love and support as out-of-control Southern California wildfires blazed a second straight day, destroying thousands of acres, homes, schools, and an Episcopal church among various houses of worship and historic buildings, forcing mass evacuations."

The firestorm tragedy began from a bush fire in Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles County neighbourhood east of Malibu, on Tuesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, it had grown to more than 15,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Currently, it is covering at least 19,978 acres and is 6% contained.

Speaking of the Eaton fire, Sharon Pewtress, chief operating officer of Episcopal Communities & Services (ECS) said: “This is devastating, incomprehensible, the magnitude of what could happen so quickly."

ECS, which operates several senior communities within the diocese, evacuated some 200 residents from its Altadena MonteCedro residence.

The Bishop of Los Angeles, John Harvey Taylor and Canon Kathy O’Connor have been visiting evacuees. Bishop Taylor, in a YouTube video message to the diocese noted the outpouring from across The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Taylor said: “Offers have been flooding in from all over the diocese, from individuals, parishes and missions that have room for evacuees who need shelter. Thank you. Bishops from all over The Episcopal Church, including Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and our former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. We have heard from Bishop Diane (Jardine Bruce) in the Diocese of Western Missouri and many colleagues all over the church, pledging themselves to your care and safety."

On Thursday 9 January, Episcopal Relief and Development announced technical support for the situation. The relief agency run a Wildfire Response Fund which helps communities around the world respond to the impact of fires.

Lura Steele, Program Officer, Episcopal Relief & Development said: “We are heartbroken by the death and damage caused by the wildfires in Southern California and are praying for all affected. We are working with our partners to assess evacuee needs and provide support in the coming days.”

For more information visit:

The website for the Diocese of Los Angeles. Read their full news report here and find out about their appeal here

The Episcopal News Service here.

Episcopal Relief and Development appeal here.

Episcopal Relief and Development team here.