Fire threatens Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Monastery

[5Loaves]

Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Monastery in Manton, CA is in the area of the Ponderosa Fire.

Kyrie eleison. :byzsoc:

August 18, 2012 11:30 pm update 7,000 acres - 0% contained
cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=722

Nathan Brown posted on the OCA Facebook comments: Our priest sent an e-mail to everyone in our parish saying he had spoken with [Abbot] Fr. Meletios on the phone at 6:00[PM] and the monks have evacuated to the town. They did not know the immediate status of the monastery.

The OCA Facebook comments are probably the most up to date information.
Also,KRCR News has recent comments.
also CAL FIRE Current Incidents → Ponderosa Fire

 

[5Loaves]

The fire continues to grow, out of control. Please pray for all who are affected by this fire.

Last Updated: August 19, 2012 1:30 pm
Acres Burned: 12,000 acres
Containment 12,000 acres - 0% contained
Structures Destroyed: 4 structures destroyed
Threatened: 3000 residences, 20 commercial properties and 300 outbuildings

from OCA Facebook earlier today:

Just spoke with Fr Alexis Lisenko who is staying with his sister in San Pablo, (Sf Bay Area). They evacuated at 4pm, having a 30 minute warning. They stayed at the Manton Elementary school red cross shelter until 7pm, until leaving for friends and family. They took the relics, a few icons, personal belongings, one computer and laptop, and Fr Alexis has his flashdrive with all of his translations. All have gone to friends and family: Abbot Meletios, Fr Nektarios, and Fr… are in Belmont, CA; Fr Cosmas and Fr Innocent are with family in Sacramento; Fr Photios is with guests in San Jose (and cat Fluffy?); Fr Andrew took the 2 dogs to a vet in Redding who voluntered to board them for free for 3 days. Fr Andrew will be staying at the Red Cross shelter, and will be the monastery’s local connection for news. There are reports that the monastery buildings are still unharmed, but this has not been verified, since the fire is still 0% contained. They will not be able to return for at least a few days. They are very sad that they had to leave behind the many chickens and the cats that had run off. They are very grateful for the love, concern and prayers from everyone, and will give updates as they know them.

Both shelters for evacuations, Manton Elementary School and Junction School, were moved to Redding since that post.

 

[BusterMartin]

Thanks for posting this…hadn’t heard of this, but will keep them in my prayers.

 

[rciadan]

they are in my prayers

 

[5Loaves]

Firefighters protect the Monastery of St. John in Manton from the Ponderosa Fire, Sunday.

Appears to be visual confirmation of a very hopeful report yesterday August 19, 2012 3:37 p.m " Latest update I have is that the Monastery of St. John has survived the fire. A crew is on-scene to defend the property if it is further threatened."

Fire retardant orange on the surfaces.

August 20, 2012 7:00 pm Acres Burned: 16.280 acres
Containment 16,280 acres - 30% contained
Structures Destroyed: 7 structures destroyed
Threatened: 3,065 residences, 20 commercial properties and 300 outbuildings

Gone from 3% contained this morning to 30% now!
Please continue prayers for all who are affected by this massive fire.

Photo here from the .redding.com article.

 

[5Loaves]

Part of a post 2 hours ago on OCA Facebook

… Fr Alexis called me last night and said that a neighbor went to look at the property. Although it is burned all around,** all of the buildings are standing and unburnt!**…
The danger is not over, because of the fire’s front in the south (has burnt 19,627 acres), but right now, still safe and sound…

Glory to God! Giving thanks for the hardworking firefighters from all over the state who continue to fight this treacherous blaze. Remarkable that only 7 structures have burned down, heartbreaking as those losses surely are. Prayers for all who continue to be affected by this fire, now 35% contained.

Kyrie eleison. :byzsoc:

Last Updated: August 21, 2012 7:15 am
Acres Burned: **19,627 acres **
Containment 19,627 acres - **35% contained **
Structures Destroyed: 7 structures destroyed
**Total Fire Personnel: 1,886 **(937 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 223 (87 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 38 (26 CAL FIRE)
Helicopters: 6
Dozers: 47 (17 CAL FIRE)
Water tenders: 33

Fire retardant orange on the surfaces.

God bless the pilot who “painted” the monastery that orange!

 

[5Loaves]

God bless the pilot who “painted” the monastery that orange!

additional photos

 

[5Loaves]

Glory to God!
August 23, 2012 Monks anticipate return to monastery after “Ponderosa Fire”
MANTON, CA [OCA]

“We will be returning very soon to inspect the property. As far as we know, all the buildings were saved, and the facility has provided a good place for the fire department to use as a base while they continue their heroic and much appreciated efforts for the larger community. We wish to extend especial thanks to the many firefighters who have risked their safety in this effort, and we are glad that the monastery grounds could be of service. The fires continue to travel other places and threaten other homes and lives, so please continue to pray for all who are affected by this. There are still many who are in danger.

Read the full text of the message from the monks.

Please continue your prayers for all affected.
Last Updated: August 23, 2012 6:30 pm
Containment 27,978 acres - 61% contained
Structures Destroyed: 64 residences & 20 outbuildings destroyed
Threatened: 900 residences, 10 commercial properties and 30 outbuildings remain threatened.

 

[BusterMartin]

Glory to God!
August 23, 2012 Monks anticipate return to monastery after “Ponderosa Fire”
MANTON, CA [OCA]

Read the full text of the message from the monks.

Please continue your prayers for all affected.
Last Updated: August 23, 2012 6:30 pm
Containment 27,978 acres - 61% contained
Structures Destroyed: 64 residences & 20 outbuildings destroyed
Threatened: 900 residences, 10 commercial properties and 30 outbuildings remain threatened.

Wonderful news! Thanks for the update!