The American Red Cross has released its official Wildfire App.
The free app is available in English or Spanish and puts potentially lifesaving information right in the hands of people in wildfire-prone areas. It is available for both iPhone and Android platforms.
“The Wildfire App gives residents of Nebraska and southwest Iowa instant access to our Blaze Tracker features so they can make critical decisions that can save lives.” said Tina Labellarte, chief executive officer of the Nebraska/Southwest Iowa Region. “Users can receive notification of wildfire risk and activity within 100 miles of locations that matter most to them, so they can help protect their loved ones and their property.”
Thursday, Red Cross volunteers were en route to a wildfire in Lincoln County to provide food and hydration for firefighters working to contain the blaze.
On Wednesday, the Red Cross supported firefighters at the scene of a grass fire southeast of Norfolk as fires have consumed an estimated 58,000 acres in Boone, Cherry, Fillmore, Holt, Knox, Merrick and Nance counties. The Red Cross has asked its disaster relief volunteers throughout the state to be ready to respond and urges residents in fire prone areas to take steps to prepare their homes and businesses.
The Wildfire App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.
Approximately 300,000 acres in Nebraska have been damaged by fires this season. More than 1,600 people have turned to the Red Cross for critical water, food, shelter and support. More than 7,500 meals and snacks have been served since the beginning of the summer. This year, the Red Cross has launched 11 wildfire relief operations spanning 10 states. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, as of October 4th, wildfires have burned 8.8 million acres in the United States this year.
