A local Red Cross volunteer has been called to Colorado to help evacuees in the state ravaged by some of its worst wildfires in history.
Thousands of acres have been scorched and many residents still cannot go home.
The American Red Cross is on the front lines helping those in need, and one local volunteer gets to help.
"Basically, I'm going to be really busy for three weeks," said Kathleen Heinz.
The Red Cross called Kathleen Heinz early Monday morning. She's part of a national disaster action team, which means she's ready to leave within 24 hours to help however she can.
"It's quite an honor to get to go because one of our major functions, of course, is to take care of people so that's what I'm hoping to do with this deployment, is go back there and do what I can to help the people affected by this fire," said Heinz.
And, it's not her first Red Cross deployment.
The former school teacher for 33 years has been to help Katrina victims twice. She also responding to flooding in Massachusetts, New York and Tennessee, and recently the fires near Lake Isabella and Frazier Park.
"It's exactly why we're here. It's the mission of the Red Cross. So we're really pleased to send one of our volunteers. They love it, that's what they sign up for and they also learn a lot while deployed that they can bring back to Kern County and help us," said Jennifer Perfect, Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Heinz is CPR-certified and is prepared to provide first aid or computer skills as residents of Colorado deal with one of their worst fire seasons ever.
"I call it 'food for the soul.' I like to help people. I taught school for 33 years so I look at this as a continuation of a life of service."
