High Park Fire: How You Can Help

While evacuees await news of their homes, Coloradans in the surrounding area are looking for ways to help. HelpColoradoNow.org, a partnership between the Colorado Division of Emergency Management and Colorado Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster, says volunteers are not needed at this time.

Update 6/20/2012

Larimer County officials announced Monday that they are accepting some material donations at the donations center at the Foothills Fashion Mall  (235 East Foothills Parkway, Fort Collins, 80525 — in the former Mervyn’s space) The full list of supplies needed can be found at CBS4.

The Loveland Reporter Herald has a full list of events and fundraisers by date, and mentions these ongoing charitable opportunities:

Dickinson Electric will be collecting monetary donations daily for the Larimer Humane Society. Drop by or send donations to 1175 E. Second St. Call 970-669-1389 for details.

Loveland Dog Club is taking donations of dog food and cat food at 224 E. 29th St., according to Maggie Lamp. For details, call 970-663-3647.

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People wishing to volunteer are urged to wait until the recovery phase begins.

The main contact number for all the charities involved is United Way 2-1-1. You can simply dial 2-1-1 (1-866-485-0211) to give your information if you’d like to volunteer in the future or donate now. This home number allows the charities to put less staff on phone lines, and you are requested to call this line first.

At this time, the following charities are responding to the High Park Fire:

• American Red Cross - 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-733-2767
  • You can also text “Redcross” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the charity.

• The Salvation Army - 303-866-9216

• Larimer Humane Society

Animals that have been displaced are also in need of your help. The Larimer Humane Society is currently providing temporary shelter for cats, dogs, small mammals and farm animals (the size of a goat or smaller) displaced due to the High Park fire. Stephanie Ashley is with the Larimer Humane Society and says they do not need volunteers at this time.

• Larimer Human Society is asking for monetary donations only. With very little space left to store donated food and other items, the best way to help is to make a secure donation online which allows them to purchase supplies as needed and as space allows.
• If you need to check availability at a shelter, please contact the Animal Protection and Control dispatch at 970-226-3647 ext. 7
• If your pet is missing, check the lost and found section to see if they have arrived at a shelter.
• If you have supplies that you have already purchased, the Larimer Human Society asks that you hold on to them until more space becomes available.

Large animals are being housed at The Ranch in a coordinated effort by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Larimer Humane Society and Animal Protection and Control.

• For all animal related questions, please call the Animal Protection and Control dispatch at 970-226-3647 ext. 7 for information on current locations available for shelter.
• If you are an evacuee in need of one time water assistance for your animals in the fire zone, please call dispatch at 970-226-3647 ext. 7
• Do not go to the scene of the fire.

The Boulder Police posted this picture of a rescued horse today on Twitter:

Evacuees can register their status as safe and well at the Red Cross’s website. The registry can also be searched by people checking on the status of loved ones.