A Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) has been deployed to western North Dakota to address support needs in the area caused by the wildfires that have killed two people, destroyed 10 homes and burned about 88,934 acres of land along with the death of hundreds of cattle.

“We’re deeply concerned about the ongoing wildfires and we at the American Red Cross are closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with our community partners at the local level, county level and state level to stay informed and identify the needs in these communities,” said Christopher Larson, regional communications volunteer for the Minnesota and Dakota chapter of the Red Cross.

“We’ve been collaborating with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, Health and Human Services, the emergency management in the counties that are around,” Larson said. “We know that this is impacting some of our tribal nations so we’ve been in contact with tribal emergency management to stay informed and identify those who are in need and what those needs are.”

DAT is a team of trained volunteers who serve on the frontlines of disaster relief.

“When we get called for disaster relief, they’re often the first faces you will see from the American Red Cross. They are the ones that provide that initial relief and comfort from our organization. So our local Disaster Action Team volunteers are vital to the work of the Red Cross because simply, they are our first line,” Larson said.

Red Cross DATs are typically deployed to help local families cope with emergencies and are different from an official Red Cross disaster response. The Red Cross has currently deployed one DAT to the western region of the state.

“A Disaster Action Team volunteer provides emotional support and information to help families begin that process of recovery,” Larson said.

“Again, our number one priority is connecting with the neighbors, making sure they have a place to stay, have access to needs such as food, medical assistance and emotional support,” Larson said.

The disaster action team volunteers can also help those impacted regain access to their prescriptions and help with replacing equipment and other needs.

“Those caseworkers are going to be ready to work with people to determine what those next steps are in their recovery because this is a very devastating time for people in western North Dakota,” Larson said.

Larson recommends if there are people in need of assistance, they should call the American Red Cross, which will then take down their information and deploy the correct resources.

“Governor Burgum said it best, in that this is a historic fire, and that makes us deeply concerned about what’s going on out in the western part of the state,” Larson said.