
Disaster Description
Dulzura, California is located 25 miles south east of San Diego and about 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico Border. Dulzura is a small, rural community of about 700 people.
California saw some of the worst fires in its history in October of 2007. More than one million people were forced to evacuate their homes, one of the largest evacuations in United States history. The Harris Fires, which affected Dulzura, burned 90,000 acres. Over 250 homes were destroyed by the fires and five people were killed. Major factors in the fires were drought, hot weather, and high winds. Due to the large number of fires, equipment and personnel were limited to fight the immense blazes.
MDS Response
Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers rebuilt homes in Julian, CA, 50 miles north of Dulzura, five years ago after the Cedar Fires. Reports are that Julian was unaffected by the fires in 2007. Great partners in the area including the local Long Term Recovery Committee and the Salvation Army have invited MDS back to the area to once again clean up, rebuild and restore hope.
The MDS camp is an entirely mobile project. Trailers include one each for the kitchen, dining, bunkhouse, shower, office, and other RV’s and tool trailers. San Diego County and the Department of Planning and Land Use are providing crucial support in rebuilding affordable housing for this lower income community. Work will continue in Dulzura through the fall and winter.
Henri Nouwen describes spiritual discipline like this: “In the spiritual life, the word discipline means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act.’ Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being...[more]

MDS Dulzura
PO Box 36
17945 Highway 94
Dulzura, CA 91917
Project Directors:
Phone: (619) 468-6972
Cell: (619) 609-8160
Fax: (619) 468-6967
e-mail: dulzura(at)mds.mennonite.net
Project Start Date: January 5, 2009
Volunteer Status:
Volunteers to Date: 627
Jobs Started: 31
Jobs Completed: 28
Project End Date: March 26, 2010
Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in Dulzura.
|