Plenty of people want to help firefighters and victims of the Pine Ridge fire, but the Grand Junction Fire Department says if you don't go about it the correct way, it may actually hinder the work they're trying to accomplish.

Mike Page with G.J.F.D. says it's a very bad idea to show up to a fire scene if you don't know what you're doing.

"Right now we're not looking for a lot of help, especially at the scenes...if you respond to the scene you're probably more of a hindrance than you are a help. Just because there's a lot of things going on, it's happening pretty quickly. People have to have certain skills and training to be involved in those things," said Page.

Page says the only people battling the Pine Ridge fire are involved with fire agencies. He says the need for volunteers increases in the aftermath of a wildfire when victims are trying to recover their losses.

The Red Cross and Salvation Army are always taking volunteers.

Salvation Army:

1235 North 4th Street, Grand Junction

(970) 242-7513

Red Cross:

506 Gunnison Avenue, Grand Junction

(970) 242-4851

Right now, money donations are the biggest need.

You can call 211 from a land line or (970) 244-8400 from a cell phone to learn the best way to volunteer or donate your time or money.

According to Eric Myers with the Western Chapter of the American Red Cross, no evacuees have gone to Palisade High School yet, but people are beginning to come in and ask for information.