Ridge Behind OG3C (West)

Ridge Behind OG3C (East)

Overlooking Ball Field Facing South

Looking East Toward Beaumont

As we returned to Oak Glen at 10:00 this morning (9/2), we were very pleased with what we saw. Through the community and especially here at the conference center, it is nearly impossible to tell that a major fire has recently been so close. Other than a few trucks and overhead equipment that are normally not here, everything seemed pretty much the same. The tall trees, blue sky and impressive mountain range are all still intact. What a beautiful sight!

God bless!

-- Mark Logan

Across Oak Glen Road
From OG3C Entrance

OG3C Entrance

OG3C Entrance and Oak Glen Road East

Oak Glen Road East at Entrance

At the evacuation center this morning (9/2) I learned that the mandatory evacuation of the Oak Glen area has been lifted! Praise God!!

Today our resident staff will be moving back onto the grounds and taking care of whatever personal matters have arisen since their lives were disrupted on Sunday. (Some were down the hill at church and never had the opportunity to return home before the roads were closed.) We will also be moving the office equipment and getting everything situated to resume normal operations.

Our hearts are full of gratitude to all who were involved in battling these fires. Emergency services personnel and their leaders have done an incredible job and we are very grateful!

I’m looking forward to soon having guests return to a place where children, youth and adults can experience the beauty of God’s creation and grow in their faith and knowledge of Him. Our staff and I look forward to soon sharing the Oak Glen experience with you!

Thanks again for your prayers and may the Lord bless you.

-- Mark Logan

A community briefing was given at the evacuation center around 6:00 P.M. and we heard that the mandatory evacuation of Oak Glen will not be lifted tonight (9/1). The weather conditions have changed and in very short periods of time earlier today the fire changed direction several times. The expectation is to wait and see what tomorrow holds. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach the captain with Cal Fire that I mentioned in my previous update. My guess is he would have provided similar information.

Today I heard conflicting reports that the fire had and had not crossed Oak Glen Road. During the briefing we learned that the fire has not crossed the road and therefore is not on the same side as OG3C. I also spoke this evening with our neighbor who didn’t evacuate. He said the battle overnight became serious and, if the winds had changed direction, property on our side of the road could have been seriously threatened. He also has checked our property again today and things still look very good at the conference center. Praise God for His protection!

We also learned that the evacuation of the neighborhood just above our house in Yucaipa may be lifted tonight. That is both good news for those residents and a relief to my family and me. The likelihood of being evacuated from our home is now greatly diminished. The hills just above our house, which looked so involved this morning, have calmed down significantly.

Some concern was mentioned of lighting strikes in the local mountains. Please pray with us for stable air – plenty of moisture and no lighting strikes. Thanks for your prayers!

-- Mark Logan

A captain with Cal Fire just informed me that he will be attending an informational meeting at 6:00 P.M. tonight (9/1). One of the topics to discuss will be consideration of lifting the evacuation order for the community of Oak Glen. I’m expecting to connect with him again about 8:00 P.M. and will try to pass along whatever information he provides. The word I received at the command center this morning is that they are “cautiously optimistic.”

Earlier this afternoon we decided to cancel the three guest groups (about 150 guests) who were scheduled to be with us for the coming holiday weekend. Even if the evacuation is soon lifted, concerns about air quality and the ability of our guests to “retreat” with airplanes and helicopters potentially flying in close proximity were significant factors.

On a personal note, there are just 11 houses between ours and the western boundary of a neighborhood that was evacuated at 10:00 A.M. this morning. I was at the Yucaipa evacuation center as newly displaced individuals were coming in for information. One of the possible scenarios mentioned was to expand the evacuation to include the block on which our house is located. Thankfully, as of this writing that hasn’t happened! Rest assured, like we did in Oak Glen we will follow the directions of emergency services personnel.

Many have offered prayers, housing and other assistance. We are very grateful for the outpouring of love and encouragement. Thanks everyone for your prayers!

-- Mark Logan

9:00 P.M. on 8/31

Jerry Ross and I just returned from another trip to the evacuation center in Yucaipa where we were told that fire crews are “in the mop up stages” in Oak Glen. On route to our house in Yucaipa, we looked east on Oak Glen Road beyond Bryant and the sky over Oak Glen was surprisingly dark.

Some neighbors of OG3C and friends of our ministry have been in touch a couple of times today. They have walked the property of our conference center and said that everything looks very good. The ability to serve our guests this coming weekend looks very promising. Praise the Lord!

An abundance of assistance offers from many friends and supports of OG3C have come our way. Thank you all for your kindness!

There will be another briefing with local authorities at the evacuation center tomorrow morning. When I know more I’ll let you know. Please continue to pray for those who are battling and the ones affected by these fires!

-- Mark Logan

10:30 A.M. on 8/31

“At this point, I don’t have a lot of new information. 900 acres have been burned in the Oak Glen area, significant resources (including a DC-10!) are fighting the fire, and back fires have been set across the road from Riley’s Farm (1.5 miles east and also across the road from OG3C). The majority of the battle seems to be focused right now on Pisgah Peak.

Our special projects manager, Jerry Ross, is on his way to check in with the folks at the evacuation center in Yucaipa to see if any of our 300 beds and/or showers could be helpful. If we are allowed back in to assist, I’ll let you know.

We are able to check the voice messages left at our office and are returning calls as quickly as we can. Thank you for the many prayers and offers of assistance!

Our next guests arrive Friday (9/4) and food service delivery trucks are scheduled for Thursday (9/3). My prayer is that we will still be able to serve our guests and, most importantly, that the Lord will use this situation to His glory! When I hear more, I’ll let you know. God bless!"

-- Mark Logan

7:00 P.M. on 8/30

“If you've heard the local news, the community of Oak Glen has been evacuated due to fire. I was at our conference center this afternoon (8/30) and all of our staff and guests have left safely. As the last of our staff and I were departing, a deputy sheriff let us know that things are looking good for Oak Glen Christian Conference Center and the fire is not threatening at this point. Please keep us in your prayers!”

-- Mark Logan