An American flag was found unscorched by firefighters battling the blazes in California’s wine country, a symbol of hope amid the destruction.

According to Faithwire, Merced Fire Department firefighters found the untouched flag among the rubble. 

KABC reporter Veronica Miracle posted a video on Twitter of the firefighters raising the flag high in the middle of scorched trees and burned homes. 

Miracle posted, “A symbol of HOPE at the #NorthBayFires. @MercedFireDept found an untouched #AmericanFlag among the rubble.”

A symbol of HOPE at the #NorthBayFires. @MercedFireDept found an untouched #AmericanFlag among the rubble. @ABC7 @ABC30 @abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/mim7bT5SMK

— Veronica Miracle (@ABC7Veronica) October 15, 2017

Over 40,000 evacuations and more than 40 deaths have been attributed to the wildfires. Merced Fire Department posted on Facebook that crews have been working 30- 48-hour shifts to get the fires under control.

If you would like to help those affected by the wildfires, options include:

United Way of Wine Country
Salvation Army
North Bay Fire Relief (Sponsored by Redwood Credit Union)

Another way to assist is through helpchurches.org. This organization helps get damaged churches back up and running so they can help their communities. After Katrina, 40% of the churches in New Orleans did not come back.