The city of Yakima’s donation campaign to help Northwest firefighters battling the Okanogan Complex wildfires has shifted into package mode.About noon Thursday, dozens of volunteer members of Yakima-area Mormon churches joined the prodigious process of packing individual gallon bags with relief and hygiene items for those on the fire lines.

Haney Truck Line, a Yakima-based hauler, has offered to transport the donations to the Firefighter Relief Center in Tonasket for free.

Donations of specific, nonperishable items for Okanogan Complex firefighters continue to be accepted at Yakima Fire Department Station 91 at 401 N. Front St. and Station 93 at 40th and Englewood avenues through noon Friday (Aug. 28).

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

Here's the list of specific, nonperishable items needed for transport to the Okanogan Complex site (specifically, the Firefighter Relief Center at the Tonasket Visitor Center):

  • Jerky
  • Granola bars
  • Bottled water
  • Gum
  • White socks
  • Gatorade packet drink mix (with electrolytes)
  • White T-shirts
  • White underwear
  • ChapStick
  • Visine
  • Baby wipes
  • Ibuprofen/Tylenol
  • Bandannas
  • Tampons/pads
  • Gallon-size Ziploc bags

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. Last report put cash donations at about $8,500.

As of today, the Okanogan Complex fires are approximately 17 percent contained, up from 15 percent containment on Tuesday. Nearly 1,350 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.

Even though the Yakima supply drive ends at noon on Friday, donations will continue to be accepted at the Firefighter Relief Center in Tonasket.

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

Donations can still be mailed to the Tonasket Visitor and Business Information Center, Firefighter Relief Center, 215 S. Whitcomb Ave.,Tonasket, WA 98855.

 

More From 94.5 KATS