(June 17, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) With Arizona's second major brush fire in three weeks blazing out of control near the southern city of Sierra Vista, Radio Station KWRB, "The Spark," is bringing physical and spiritual relief to thousands of imperiled residents and firefighters. The station is part of the World Radio Network (WRN) one of HCJB Global's cooperating ministries.

"It's pretty crazy around here," said Arron Daniels, who heads the community outreach of the network's Western Regional Office, which is in the same building as the station. "About 600 people have been evacuated, and 60 to 70 homes have been destroyed. More than 18,000 acres have burned, and we have 1,000 emergency personnel-800 of these from out of state-who are part of the level 1 team that is fighting the fire."

Called the Monument Fire because it started in the Coronado National Monument at the southern tip of the Huachuca Mountains near the Mexican border on Sunday, June 12, the blaze has been gaining momentum ever since. "Our winds are just off the charts-30 to 40 mph-and the air is extremely dry with relative humidity around 4 percent. It's not very conducive to fire dousing!" Daniels said. "Thankfully, no one has been hurt or killed."

Staff and volunteers have spent time visiting with people and sharing the love of Jesus with them, Daniels continued. "There is much work still to do and The Spark-in partnership with the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Cochise County Sheriff's Department and the Forest Service-looks forward to helping as many as possible."

Listeners to The Spark responded immediately when they found out about the needs of people who lost their homes and firefighters. "When I heard about the firefighters coming in, I checked on what their needs would be, and I put it on the air. Within four hours we received 1,500 bottles of water and Gatorade."

That total has since quadrupled as KWRB is also collecting items such as food, baby formula, lip balm, bandanas and sunscreen, serving as a clearinghouse for donations from local residents, restaurants and other businesses.

"My days start at 4 a.m., answering emails, helping coordinate the distribution of supplies and meeting with people," shared Daniels who worked in relief services for the American Red Cross before joining WRN 13 years ago. "Then I'm at the shelter till about midnight. We sit around and talk with the families. We've prayed and cried with them. We've shared Jesus with a few of them. Disaster always makes people open to the gospel, and we have the hope that they're seeking. Sometimes they just need a good hug."

Daniels added that he uses social networks such as Facebook and Twitter "all day long answering questions. Whenever a need arises I forward it to the radio station. We're very thankful for the social media. During times like this, Twitter has been extremely effective!"

He said staff and volunteers make deliveries to the firefighters' camp twice a day. "We've also been involved with the Red Cross at the shelter-across the street from the station-for people left homeless by the blaze."

The station's moniker, The Spark, has caught the attention of residents and firefighters alike. "They've razzed us a lot about the name of our station!" he exclaimed. But when firefighters see that the logo pertains to a local Christian radio station, they're glad for the spiritual encouragement.

"A lot of firefighters have asked us for prayer," Daniels said. "One time 30 to 35 firefighters were gathered in their large tent, and I prayed with them. Our ministry is to bring people together. We've also seen churches working together."

One firefighter offered, "Thank you for coming out and praying with us. You have been the only media outlet to show us this kind of love."

Meanwhile, local residents are on alert, awaiting possible evacuation orders as the fire continues to spread north to Sierra Vista. As this story went out, the blaze was about 13 miles south of KWRB's studios. Six planes and two helicopters can be seen dropping water and retardant on the flames 24 hours a day, although shifting winds complicate this task.

"We're putting together a grab-and-go bag with a list of important photographs and papers we need to take in case we get short notice to evacuate," said Susie Lind whose husband, Dwight, serves as coordinator of WRN's Western Region.

"The station is about five miles north of us, and our home is about five miles north of the fire," she related. "Yesterday the fire moved about two or three miles as the wind picked up speed. We've had a forecast of high winds the rest of the week. A neighbor who works at Fort Huachuca told us last night that we'll know in two or three days if we have to evacuate…. We know God is in control…. Please pray that we'll both get through this safely. That's all that matters. The rest is stuff we have to store."

Sources: HCJB Global, World Radio Network, UPI
Photo credits: Arron Daniels, Dwight Lind