We would like to thank so many of you for expressing your concerns and prayers for our well-being here in Redding, California. Thankfully all of us with GSR are fine and our homes are intact.

This has been a very challenging time for our community as wildfires converged last week on the west side of town. What started out as a manageable 8,000 acre fire outside of Redding grew overnight to over 20,000 acres. It then doubled each of the following two nights, fueled by strong winds and a couple of weeks of heat over 100 degrees. The total area burned is now around 100,000 acres, which equates to 156 square miles. The fire’s growth for the moment has slowed and it has changed course away from Redding.

There have been 6 deaths confirmed so far (including two firefighters) with more likely to be reported once emergency personnel are able to re-enter some of the devastated areas. Over 700 homes have been destroyed. I believe the reality of the damage to our community won’t fully sink in until the smoke clears. Our hearts break for those who have lost loved ones and homes. It is moments like this that can bring perspective to life and remind us of the far greater value of the people in our life than our possessions, both of which can be taken away from us in an instant. Please continue to pray for our community as the healing process begins and for our nation’s firefighters who continually risk their lives for the sake of others.

Glenn S. Rank, CIMA®

Certified Investment Management Analyst®

President