Adventist Ministries in California Impacted by Widespread Fires

1 August 2018  |  Two Adventist summer camp facilities and at least one local church were closed down this week by the widespread fires in California. The Cranston Fire in southern California came within a mile of Pine Springs Ranch, the retreat center and youth camp facility operated by the denomination’s Southeastern California Conference.

Camp Wawona, the retreat center and youth camp operated by the Central California Conference, was also evacuated. It is located near the internationally-known Yosemite National Park.

The Carr Fire came within a half mile of the Redding Seventh-day Adventist Church last week and all activities were cancelled on Sabbath. The 400-member congregation is affiliated with the Northern California Conference, and three other Adventist churches are located within five to seven miles.

The Redding church will be open for worship this coming Sabbath (August 4) a local leader has told Adventist Today. Fire fighters have begun to gain the upper hand.

It is unclear how soon the two camp/retreat facilities will be reopened. The Cranston Fire has been controlled, according to an announcement today by the California state fire authorities. But the electrical power facilities serving Pine Springs Ranch have been damaged, reported Pastor Sandy Roberts, the conference president. There is no word how soon repairs may be made.

The Ferguson Fire, which threatened Camp Wawona, now covers nearly 63,000 acres and is only 39 percent contained, reported California fire authorities today. Fire fighters are working along Highway 41 and the Chowchilla Mountain Road, both of which lead to Wawona.