Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus with Firefighters Battling Dixie Fire in Chico, California

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their ministry teams were invited by Shawna Powell at Cal Fire to come to Silver Dollar Fair Grounds in Chico, California, to comfort the courageous firefighters tirelessly battling the Dixie Fire. Shawna is working the Dixie Fire as the Employee Support Staff (ESS) Battalion Chief for that fire (Team 1).

The Dixie Fire, California’s largest wildfire this year, continues to chew through thousands of acres of rough terrain this week, prompting evacuation orders and threatening communities in a region scarred by the memory of the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest in the state’s history.

More than 5,400 firefighters are battling the Dixie Fire, which merged over the weekend with another nearby blaze, the Fly Fire, and had burned through about 200,000 acres, according to Cal Fire, the state’s fire agency.

Beginning Saturday, July 24, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron & Gomer (St. John’s - Napa, California), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, California), and Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California) will be rotating throughout the coming weeks to serve the California firefighters at their base camps.

These are very long hard days for these brave men and women fighting these fires. The conditions of heat, smoke, and continuous fires make each day a challenge.

Having the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams there gave the firefighters a break from their stress and the loneliness of being away from their families. The K-9s were happy to be near and give unconditional love to the firefighters, pilots, and ground crew as their handlers and ministry partners embraced these men and women and prayed with them.

Comment of the day: “Best thing that has happened to them since they got here.”

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Many of the brave men and women fighting these fires in California have family and friends at home who worry for their safety. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams are happy they could be with them today and throughout the coming weeks to bring much-needed comfort, love, and smiles.

"May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." Genesis 31:49

Please keep the firefighters working tirelessly to control these fires and the communities affected in your prayers for God’s safety and strength.

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LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never charges those we serve. Please prayerfully consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Travel Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

DONATE — LCC K-9 TRAVEL FUND