SPANISH FORK — In the wake of the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires burning in Utah County, almost 6,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

More than 2,000 homes were evacuated including residents from Birdseye, Woodland Hills, Elk Ridge and the Covered Bridge, Diamond Fork and Sheep Creek areas, as well as the right fork of Hobble Creek Canyon. However, residents on U.S. Highway 89 from the Eagles Landing development, near milepost 302, were allowed back into their homes Wednesday, and the area is now on pre-evacuation status.

As a result of all the evacuations, some local businesses and community members have stepped up to help the affected families by giving out free services and resources.

Live wildfire coverage:

Fire updates: Visualization shows exactly how Pole Creek Fire grew

A new visualization Friday that shows how the Pole Creek Fire grew since it sparked by lightning Sept. 6.

Red Hanger

Laundry isn’t something you want to worry about while you are living in an evacuation center. Red Hanger is a laundry service with locations all over northern Utah that recently helped take this stress away by offering free laundry services for evacuees.

"Local officials called to ask if Red Hanger could help with laundry for families evacuated by the fires,” said Red Hanger CEO Dan Hemmert. “We sent a van to pick up clothes and have been able to clean the clothes free of charge and bring them back on the same day washed and folded or pressed.

"We're hoping that these families will have one less thing to worry about as they deal with the potential loss of their home."

Airbnb

The popular vacation rental company started its Open Homes Program with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, according to Airbnb representative Molly Weedn. The program allows evacuees, emergency relief workers and volunteers to have free and temporary housing.

“In response to the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires in Utah, Airbnb has activated Open Homes — the host community platform to provide free temporary housing to people displaced by natural disasters, conflict and illness,” Kellie Bentz, Airbnb’s Global Head of Global Disaster Response and Relief, said in an emailed statement. “Through this program, those in need of temporary accommodations are able to connect with hosts in Utah and Sanpete counties who are opening their homes free of charge now through Oct. 1.”

Airbnb has been encouraging hosts in Utah County to volunteer free space in their homes to the fire evacuees. Hosts can decide the time frame of when and how long guests can stay in their homes.

You don’t have to be a current Airbnb user to take part in the Open Homes Program. The program is open to all affected by the wildfires. To find housing or to volunteer space in your home, you can find more information here.

Davis Ranch and other residents

Have you ever thought about how much water it takes to put out a fire? Davis Ranch has since they have been a water source for the aircrew fighting the fires in Utah County.

“It’s part our water, part Woodland Hills City water and part Salem City water,” said Karen Larsen, who is part-owner of the ranch. “(The water) has been a lifesaver for the Woodland Hills fire 'cause it’s just 4 or 5 minutes away (from the ranch).”

Along with providing some water to help fight the fire, Larsen said her daughter, Lyndsay Osburn, has also gathered donations for emergency relief workers and people affected by the fire. Osburn is a resident of Salem and a mother of three who has been working hard to make sure all kinds of resources are available to those affected by the fire.

Osburn said the first night of the fire, she made calls to local businesses in search of donations. Places like Stokes Grocery and Main Street Pizza donated everything from water to pizza. But the effort didn’t stop there. The next day, Osburn helped to get donations for breakfast for volunteers and firefighters and hasn’t stopped since.

“It’s just kind of snowballed,” Osburn said. “We set up an account and people have been sending money in and we are continuing to keep buying food. Really, it just started with one phone call to see if they needed water.”

Read more:

Where are wildfire evacuees? Mostly with family, friends and neighbors

Many who are displaced in Utah County are receiving support — whether it's housing, meals, or other assistance — from those just outside the evacuation zone instead of the Red Cross.

Osburn also mentioned that Glade’s Drive Inn in Spanish Fork is adding to fire efforts. She said they have raised over $1,000 to feed the firefighters and have provided meals for about 50 people each day.

Osburn said she was also able to get in touch with Pepsi, and they dropped off a donation of sodas at her home for the firefighters.

“(Firefighters) obviously need water, but when we ask what’s something they want, they say they need something different. An ice cold Pepsi or Sprite, Dr. Pepper, or something,” Osburn said. “They love it. (We) show up with a cooler of crushed ice and soda and they run to it.”

What other donations or acts of kindness have you seen in your community involving the firefighting efforts? Let us know in the comments.

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