Community Supply Drive for Okanogan Firefighters Ends Friday at Noon

Donations of specific items that firefighters battling the massive Okanogan Complex of fires need have been pouring in to two Yakima fire stations since a supply drive was launched yesterday by the City of Yakima. Spearheaded by the Yakima City Council, the supply drive will continue until this Friday, August 28th at noon.

Donations of specific, non-perishable items will be accepted at Yakima Fire Department Station 91 at 401 N. Front Street and Station 93 at 40th Avenue and Englewood Avenue through noon on Friday. Donations of money can also be accepted at the two fire stations (checks should be made out to the Yakima Firefighters Association) and will be used to purchase additional supplies.

The specific items requested by the Firefighter Relief Center at the Tonasket Visitor Center are:

– Jerky             – Granola bars             – Bottled water             – Gum              – Visine            – ChapStick

– Ibuprofen/Tylenol                              – Bandanas                  – Tampons/pads          – Baby wipes

– White socks (100% cotton)      – White T-shirts (100% cotton)    – White underwear (100% cotton)

– Gatorade packet drink mix (with electrolytes)        – Gallon-size Ziploc bags

The items collected in Yakima will be sorted by volunteers and delivered to the Firefighter Relief Center at the Tonasket Visitor Center this weekend.

As of today, the Okanogan Complex fires are approximately 15% contained, up from 10% containment yesterday. The fires grew by more than 13,700 acres yesterday and now covers more than 258,000 acres. More than 1,300 firefighters and other personnel are currently assigned to the Okanogan Complex. According to emergency management officials, the fires could continue burning for several more months.

Any questions about the Yakima supply drive can be directed to Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler by phone at 901-1142 or by e-mail at randy.beehler@yakimawa.gov.

Okanogan Complex Firefighter Supply Drive – News Release