Boise Fires Deplete Red Cross Funds

A rash of house fires throughout southwestern Idaho has the Red Cross sifting for funds to replenish its depleted disaster-relief budget.

There have been 28 fires in the region during the past four months, three times the normal number of eight to 10 fires.

The Treasure Valley Chapter of the Red Cross, which has $8,511 in its budget for the period to help families displaced by fire, has spent $23,094.

That is more than half its disaster-relief budget of $42,555 for the entire year.

The Red Cross uses the money to put families up in motels while it searches for temporary housing, and to purchase vouchers they can use to buy food, clothing and appliances.

The depleted budget is a problem because the first four months of the agency’s fiscal year, which starts July 1, usually have the fewest number of fires.

The largest number of fires and the greatest need for disaster relief is from February to March.

“As winter approaches, this becomes our busy season,” Red Cross spokeswoman Betty Sinow said.

The agency, which gets 39 percent of its money from United Way of Ada County, has asked it for emergency funds. While the $12,000 request is expected to be granted today, it won’t be enough to meet needs, Sinow said.

The agency is seeking donations from corporations and the public to make up the shortfall. , DataTimes