Volunteers from Mormon Helping Hands worked side by side with volunteers from other Pocatello, Idaho churches to assist in the clean up of the June 28, 2012 Charlotte fire where 66 homes were burned.
Approximately 2,000 volunteers worked with backhoes, chain saws, and other heavy equipment on the burned landscape, helping homeowners. An estimated 14,000 hours were donated by members of the community to help give homeowners a fresh start in rebuilding.
Church Public Affairs director for Idaho, Larry Fisher, said 19 stakes drew people and equipment from American Falls, Arimo, Blackfoot, Aberdeen, Pocatello and Chubbuck. “It was an amazing effort,” said Fisher. “Approximately 400 tons of debris was hauled to the landfill.”
Church Welfare Services provided chain saws, fuel for the chain saws, gloves, safety glasses, shovels, bottled water and food.
Fisher also praised the Pocatello Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff and Search and Rescue and the Bannock County Planning and Zoning for their cooperation, equipment and expertise.
Read the local news media’s coverage of the cleanup: LocalNews8 and Idaho State Journal.
