On the afternoon of May 27th a fire ripped through the small town of Bagdad here in Yavapai County. The latest update from crews on the inside is that over a dozen structures were lost, and unfortunately they were multi-home units, so estimates are that 25 families lost their homes.
The entire town was safely evacuated and there are no reports at this time of injuries or fatalities. The fire is contained, but still smoldering and crews remain on scene for the mop up process. Power and other utilities are down in the area and it is estimated that it will be a few days before the town is reopened and folks can safely return home.
PFM works closely with the Bagdad Food Bank, delivering food boxes on a monthly basis through our Feed Your Neighbors program. The Food Bank is intact and they are in preparations to support the entire town once it re-opens. Everyone returning home will have lost all their fresh and frozen food due to the power outage and they are calling for help to support the population of approximately 1,800.
You Can Help!
There are several ways you can help:
* Donate to our Feed Your Neighbor program HERE and any donation made through June 30th will go directly to support feeding our Bagdad community now and for the long haul during rebuilding.
* Bring to the market tomorrow, Saturday May 29th from 7:30am to 12:00pm non-perishable food items (peanut butter, canned soup/stew/chili, canned fruit & boxes of cereal are all in highest demand) and/or paper products (plates, napkins, paper towels, tissue, toilet paper). These donations will go directly to Bagdad Food Bank when the town reopens so they can provide support even while folks are in temporary housing. We will also accept clean and sturdy cardboard boxes of decent size. Look for a special tent set up near the Info Booth.
* Email Marie Higgins our Administrative Specialist, if you want to volunteer at the market to gather and organize donations or if you have a truck or SUV and can help transport and distribute donations next week once the town reopens.
Thank you! This community is one of caring, kind and generous people who want to take care of each other; we’ll get through this together!
A special message from David Hernandez, PFM Board of Directors President
“I was born and raised in Bagdad and although it’s not my current home, my heart calls it home and I’ve been drawn back to that community in one way or another for 50+ years. It’s an extremely close knit town and one where you work at the same job as your neighbor who lives three doors down. This is a devastating blow and so many have suffered total losses. There will be much to rebuild and it will take time and resources. As Prescott Farmers Market has always helped support those in Yavapai County, we will continue to sustain assistance for Bagdad for the long haul. We appreciate your generous support and outpouring of care and concern.”