Here's a list of resources available for Mesquite Heat Fire victims and how you can help

Laura Gutschke, Abilene Reporter-News
·3 min read

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Several local and regional entities are mobilizing to assist with the immediate and long-term needs of evacuees and victims who have lost houses in the Mesquite Heat Fire that started Tuesday near View.

Shelters

The local chapter of the American Red Cross on Wednesday moved its command center and shelter from View Baptist Church to Beltway Park Church South, 4009 Beltway South.

Additional shelters were set up at Lawn Baptist Church and Jim Ned Valley Church of Christ in Tuscola.

Ten people stayed at the Beltway Park Church South shelter Wednesday night, said Robyn Flores, executive director of the American Red Cross-Big Country Chapter.

"Most people are saying with family and friends," she said.

The shelter is well stocked with food, water and other supplies, and no additional donations of such items are needed currently, she said.

"We have a wonderful community," Flores said. "... Right now the initial needs really are taken care of."

More: Mesquite Heat Fire near Abilene reaches almost 10,000 acres, burns 50-plus homes

Resources for evacuees and victims of Mesquite Heat Fire

► General information:  United Way of Abilene recommends contacting Big Country VOAD, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster, at the website unitedwayabilene.org/bigcountryvoad/ and 211, which is available 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 211 or 325-673-8211.

► Animals: Taylor County Expo Center is providing housing for horses and other animals.

Longhorns gather near some hay at their stall at the Taylor County Expo Center. The center is sheltering livestock from the Mesquite Heat Fire near View.
Longhorns gather near some hay at their stall at the Taylor County Expo Center. The center is sheltering livestock from the Mesquite Heat Fire near View.

►Storage: U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box container usage to residents who have been displaced by the wildfire. Contact the Abilene location, 826 S. Clack St., at 325-698-0830, or the San Angelo location, 1330 S. Koenigheim St. at 325-655-0595.

► Cleanup: Representatives and chaplains with Texas Baptist on Mission are at  Beltway Park Church South shelter to sign up fire victims needing assistance with debris removal, cutting trees and other recovery efforts, said volunteer Marion Smith.

People can drop by the the shelter to sign up, and teams will be mobilized once the wildfire is contained.

►Legal Assistance: A representative with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas also is at  Beltway Park Church South shelter to provide free legal help to low-income families and individuals who meet eligibility guidelines.

The nonprofit can assist with filing insurance claims and disaster unemployment assistance, replacing lost documents, reviewing home repair contracts and other matters. Assistance also is available at 817-339-5391.

► Reporting damage to the state: The Texas Division of Emergency Management is starting to assess Mesquite Heat Fire damages to homes, land and livestock.

A team is in the area, but people also can report damages to the TDEM website at damage.tdem.texas.gov. Pictures may be required.

► Assistance for veterans: The Mobile Vet Center will open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20 in Abilene at the Home Depot parking lot, 4590 Southwest Drive, to assist veterans, active duty and their family members with fire recovery resources, the Taylor County Sheriff's Office reported.

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How to make monetary donations for View, Buffalo Gap wildfire victims, volunteer fire departments

► American Red Cross-Big Country Chapter: Checks can be mailed to 1610 North Second Street, Abilene, 79601. Or, donate online at redcross.org, designating the funds for the Big Country Chapter and the View fire.

► Community Foundation of Abilene: is accepting donations to its Big Country Fire Relief Fund to provide support for volunteer fire departments and people affected by the View wildfire. Donations can be made online at cfabilene.org/firerelief.

'It's devastating': Mesquite Heat Fire has destroyed at least 10 homes. Here's what we know.

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporter and food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News.  If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. 

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: How you can help Mesquite Heat Fire victims and available resources