Covenant News

Wildfire Forces Evacuation of Alpine Camp

BLUE JAY, CA (October 28, 2003) - Staff and guests at Alpine Covenant Conference Center have been safely evacuated after flames from the Old Fire and Grand Prix Fire approached the nearby mountain resort town of Lake Arrowhead, according to the San Bernardino Sun.

"The Alpine center had not been affected by the physical fire but the mountain is on mandatory evacuation," said Nelly Bothi at the Pacific Southwest Conference. "They were able to get all of the guests and staff away safely." Bothi spoke to camp officials at approximately 11AM PST.

The Sun reported that that town of Lake Arrowhead, elevation 5,100 was "was left particularly vulnerable to flames by a beetle infestation that has devastated the surrounding trees."

According to CNN, wildfires in Southern California have destroyed more than 1,100 homes, with 600,000 acres burned and 16 people killed. So far, no Covenant churches have reported damage from the fires. (See related story --http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item3314.html)

Bruce Bruns, acting senior pastor of Simi Valley Covenant Church, said that on Tuesday, the Simi Valley fire was about "three miles from the church."

"We've had some people who have had to evacuate, but not injuries or property loss yet," Bruns said. "The weather is changing, it should cool down and bring in some humidity, that should help. Right now it is just very smoky. Schools are closed again today, and depending on where you are the air can be pretty nasty."

Near San Diego, Craig Knudson of Community Covenant Church in El Cajon noted that while there have been evacuations in the area and some close call, thus far, no members or attenders have lost homes to the fire.

More news about the fires and their effects on Covenant congregations will be posted on www.covchurch.org as it becomes available.

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