Utah Red Cross volunteers deploy to Canada to help wildfire refugees

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Four relief volunteers with the American Red Cross of Utah were deployed to Canada to help individuals displaced by ongoing wildfires.

The American Red Cross of Utah announced on Monday that four of their trained disaster relief volunteers were going to travel to the Manitoba Province of Canada. Currently, the Manitoba Province is facing dozens of wildfires.

The wildfires have reportedly burned over 2.5 million acres across the Manitoba Province, and at least a dozen of the fires are still burning out of control. The Canadian Red Cross is currently sheltering over 12,500 people who have been displaced by the wildfires.

The four Utah volunteers will be mobilizing alongside almost 100 other American Red Cross volunteers on this 21-day deployment. The four volunteers will spend their deployment at the Fort Garry campus of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, where the Canadian government is planning to open large shelters for evacuees.

According to the American Red Cross of Utah, they will help staff emergency shelters and provide critical aid to those affected, in addition to providing evacuees with meals and emotional support.

“As Red Cross volunteers, we are driven by a deep commitment to help people in their moments of greatest need,” said Kristi Dunn, a volunteer from North Ogden. “Providing comfort, hope and support to those affected by disasters is not just what we do—it’s who we are. Standing with communities during their toughest times is both an honor and a responsibility we take to heart.”

Dunn is joined by Jim Gentry from West Point, Megan Harris from Hyde Park, and Kyu Lee from Salt Lake City, according to the American Red Cross of Utah. They are a few of the almost 2000 Red Cross volunteers across Utah.

Individuals can learn more about the American Red Cross’s Disaster Relief efforts and volunteer opportunities by visiting redcross.org.