Retired Pastor Pat Halvorson, Las Vegas, NM, has provided details about New Mexico wildfires. She writes:
“Please pray for much of New Mexico and fires. Las Vegas, NM, is about 30 miles from the Hermit’s Peak fire which has combined with other fires to burn about 100,000 acres. It is still only about 33% contained. Hundreds and hundreds of people have been evacuated at least twice and and unknown number of homes burned. This is a poor part of the country and in the rural areas many people live on family parcels of land handed down for generations since the 1800s. They do not want leave their homes. Many others do not have resources to go elsewhere.
Our small town is the refugee and command center for this fire. Memorial Middle School which is not being used as a school now and is the refugee center. Today the parking lot was completely full. Many homes in Las Vegas, are now surrounded by many cars presumably housing refugee guests.
The winds are so strong and erratic. One day the firefighters think they have made progress and the wind changes and another hotspot flares. It’s been going on for about two weeks now. I think I heard there are about 20 large fires now burning in New Mexico. The website for NM Forest Service Santa Fe, gives quite up to date information.
We pray for the people of New Mexico, as well as all in the parched West who are impacted by fires.
Litany in Time of Wildfires
Holy God, in the wake of fires that devour and consume,
Refresh us with the water of life.
In the barren places of ash and dust,
Restore us with the water of life.
When all we can see is devastation and despair,
Renew us with the water of life.
In Christ, we are washed clean.
We are refreshed.
In Christ, we drink from the wellspring of hope.
We are restored.
In Christ, we dance in the fountain of life.
We are renewed.
Thanks be to God. Amen.