Idaho neighbors suffer inferno

Robert Millage photo

Wildfires in the Kamiah, Idaho, area destroyed more than 42 homes. The Clearwater River reflects the wildfires Aug. 11. The blazes were sparked Aug. 10 by lightning and turned into an inferno Friday when strong winds hit the region.

Drives underway for Kamiah residents

A supply drive to help residents of Kamiah hit by forest fires over the weekend has been started in Colfax, according to Tammy Lewis. Members of the First Baptist Church Bible Study group are organizing the drive which is one of several groups in the Palouse launching help projects early this week.

The Rev. Phil Misner, pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Endicott and Peace Lutheran in Colfax, made a trip to Kamiah Monday with his car filled with donated items. Church secretary Barbara Strader posted a Facebook entry on the need at Kamiah and it drew a quick response from church members and others in Endicott.

Misner said in addition to donated items, they received $300 in cash donations which was converted into immediate need items like batteries and water.

He delivered the goods to Life Center Church in Kamiah which had become the collection point and distribution point for the Kamiah area. The center there has been filled with donations and a call went out Tuesday for units to house the donations.

According to an Idaho Department of Lands website, fires have claimed 42 homes and 75 outbuildings at Kamiah, which is located an hour east of Lewiston on Highway 12.

Misner reported as he approached Kamiah on Highway 12 the fires have burned down to the Clearwater River along the waterfront on the north side. He said it's difficult to pinpoint the number of displaced people in the area because many of the houses which remain standing are unlivable.

In the Colfax area, Lewis said residents can drop off items at Events on Main. It is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Lawyer Complex Fires have burned an estimated 63,000 acres in the Kamiah Valley. The blaze was sparked by lightning strikes Aug. 10.

Immediate needs are flashlights, batteries, fuel cards and cash donations which can be sent to the Kamiah Community Credit Union, at PO Box 68, Kamiah, Idaho, 83536. Make checks out to Kamiah Fire Relief.

The Lewis family has a cabin along the Clearwater River west of Kamiah and knows several residents of the town. Lewis said they went to Kamiah Friday but couldn't get to the cabin because of road closures.

They did see that their cabin had survived the fire. She said they returned Sunday and many of the scenes at Kamiah were heart-breaking. Some of the residents who evacuated and lost their homes have relocated to the town's supermarket parking lot with the items they were able to get out before they left.

Lewis said the toll taken by the fires was erratic with one house burned and a house next to it left standing. Three houses were destroyed along the road to their cabin.

They plan to make another trip to Kamiah today, Thursday, and will haul donated items that have been brought to Events.

Ongoing needs include paper products, plates, non-perishable food, towels, wash cloths and liquid laundry soap. New shoes, clothing, baby formula and pet food are also in short supply.