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Volunteer Team Returns after Rebuilding for Wildfire Victims in Paradise, California

August 19, 2021
Press Release

August 19, 2021 – SAN DIEGO - A team of skilled construction volunteers deployed by San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) are returning to San Diego on Sunday, August 22, 2021. They have spent the past week rebuilding a home in Paradise, California for victims of the 2018 Camp Fire who cannot recover on their own.

San Diego volunteers return on Sunday, August 22; Alaska Airlines Flight 2404 from Sacramento arriving in San Diego at 11:53 am.

The 2018 wildfires in California were the deadliest and most destructive in the state’s history. About 30,000 families lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their hopes for the future. Paradise was nearly wiped off the map by the fire. Only 5% of buildings in the town remained without serious damage.  

“This was our second construction team to deploy in 2021. Thankfully, they were able to work throughout the week without interruption from the Dixie Fire, which is burning about 40 miles from Paradise. We will continue to help families who cannot recover on their own by sending construction teams for as long as needed. In fact, we have two more teams scheduled this year,” said Barry La Forgia, IRT Executive Director.

Volunteers interested in working on a construction team can find more information here: https://www.irteams.org/about/volunteer-opportunities

IRT has 33 years of experience in assisting victims of disasters, both nationally and internationally. IRT also has a long history of providing aid and/or volunteer construction teams following major wildfires in California including the 2018 Camp and Carr fires, the 2015 Valley fire, and the 2007 and 2003 San Diego firestorms.

International Relief Teams alleviates the suffering caused by poverty and disaster around the globe, from the forgotten corners of the world to right here at home, by sending volunteer teams and medical supplies to make immediate change for the world’s most vulnerable people. For more information visit: http://www.irteams.org. Also, see us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

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