A popular Christian Camp in California has burned down in one of California's largest wildfires to date.
Sierra Bible Camp was founded in 1952 as a "summer Bible camp for the youth where everybody can get to know more about the Saviour as well as connect with peers of the same faith."
The camp has seen significant growth in attendance over its years of ministry, handling more than 2,200 visitors annually. On 7th August, the camp reported that all 23 of the camp's main structures had burnt down in the Dixie Fire.
"We have enjoyed so many years there and have come to know the communities around the lake as a part of our Christian family," the owners of the camp wrote. "Yet, as we mourn the loss of our facility, we realise how blessed we are that we were able to evacuate early and no life was or has been lost. We have a loving Christian family that ministers to us and a Loving God, who blesses us in so many ways."
In an interview with the Christian Post, Sierra Bible Camp board member Mike Vincelli expressed how painful seeing the camp's destruction was. "For it to be just gone … we just all felt very sad and just heartbroken," Mike Vincelli says that the camp intends to start fundraising in order to rebuild the camp and that the facility was insured. But even that will not cover the total cost to rebuild the 69-year-old Christian camp.
The Dixie Fire is a quickly spreading wildfire in California that may be the largest wildfire to date in the state. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection claims that the Dixie Fire began in July and has destroyed more than 570,000 acres and 1000 buildings as of 16th August. The blaze is partially contained but still threatens homes and towns.
