As you read this, our fellow Washingtonians in fire-ravaged Chelan, Ferry and Okanogan counties are fighting for the lives of their neighborhoods and their communities.

More than 16 wildfires have consumed 600,000 acres; the Okanogan County fires alone have burned 370,000 acres, setting an unfortunate state record. At least 200 homes are confirmed as destroyed. Homes are being lost today. Evacuations are still in effect.

Three young firefighters, all of them with local roots, died in the Methow.

Our neighbors in Chelan, Ferry and Okanogan counties need our help. We ask you, if you haven’t already, to contribute to support these communities in need. Cash (or credit) donations are extremely important, and will help the non-profit agencies closest to the action help those who are most affected.

Here are some targets of donations that have our confidence:

• Okanogan County Community Action Council. Go to www.occac.com. All funds donated go to local disaster relief.

• Community Foundation of North Central Washington. Go to www.cfncw.org; you’ll see “Community Fund” options to direct funds toward one area or another.

• Chelan Valley Hope, a nonprofit community service organization. Contributions will assist people who were burned out of their homes in the Chelan area. The funding appeal comes through a web platform called “Give Naked” as “Give #104,” here is the web link: http://givenaked.org/.

• www.Gofundme.com/methowfirefighters. Fund will assist the families of firefighters who were killed, and will assist the firefighters who were injured, in the Methow Valley.

• Aid for injured or homeless livestock: Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office has an Emergency Animal Response Services Team, providing shelter and food for injured and homeless livestock. Checks only to Okanogan County Sheriff, attn Deputy Yarnell, 123 N. 5th Ave, Room 200, Okanogan, WA 98840. Memo line must say “Animal Relief/Rescue.”

• Volunteers: DNR is still looking for qualified volunteers. Go to www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfirevolunteer.

Thank you for anything you can do to help North Central Washington in its time of greatest need.