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Applegate Fire Threatens Structures Near Weimar Institute in Drought-Parched California

vegetationfire

Adventists in Northern California called for prayers Wednesday evening for Weimar Institute. A rapidly-moving vegetation fire posed a possible threat to the Adventist education center in Colfax, Northern California. According to Cal Fire, the Applegate Fire broke out in dry woodland at about 1:30pm local time and was only 10% contained as night fell. Mandatory evacuations remained in effect for surrounding areas as the fire threatened some eighty structures. Several media outlets showed images of burned out buildings as crews battled five separate blazes that spread to over 380 acres.

Doug Batchelor’s Amazing Facts and the Weimar Center co-own Weimar Institute, which offers courses in health sciences, religion, education and media ministry. Weimar lists its locale in “the beautiful foothills of Northern California” as a key selling point, but persistent drought in the Western United States could turn the institution’s idyllic physical geography into a liability.

State fire personnel dropped fire retardant from aircraft as ground crews worked to build containment lines into Wednesday’s late hours. A large section of Interstate 80 leading to Weimar Institute remained closed according to CalTrans. Meanwhile, Adventists prayed for the institution’s safety.

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