Over 100,000 California residents are under mandatory evacuation orders currently; thousands of their homes have already been destroyed by wildfires. As of Jan. 9, approximately 17,234 acres have burned, as firefighters fight six different fires. Firefighters are working day-long shifts with a very small percentage of the fire contained, so far. In addition to professional and seasonal firefighters, nearly 800 incarcerated firefighters are involved in the dangerous containment efforts, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). (You can learn more here.) Unprecedented strong Santa Ana winds are only worsening conditions. It’s a long road ahead toward extinguishing the fire and toward recovery.
You may have seen the blazes on social media or you may be glued to a news channel, watching veteran reporters in the heart of this historic tragedy. Luckily, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding will cover 75% of the firefighting costs. But, if you’re watching this disaster unfold, whether near or far, you may be wondering what you can do to help.
Here are some ways you can help:
- The American Red Cross is engaged on the ground in California. You can donate to the Red Cross here, enabling the organization “to prepare for, respond to and help people recover” from California wildfires.
- You can also donate time by volunteering with the Red Cross, including with blood donations and on-the-ground disaster relief. Go here for more details.
- There’s also a wildfire recovery fund you can donate to, set up through the California Community Foundation.
- World Central Kitchen is also responding to the wildfires. You can learn more and donate here.
- Airbnb is offering temporary housing for displaced residents, in partnership with 211 LA. If you’re interested in helping there, visit this website.
- If you’d like to support firefighters and their families, you can learn more about the CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation and donate here. You can also donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
It’s a long road ahead for the people of California affected by these fires; not only as firefighters continue to fight the fires but as the state eventually reaches a point of recovery. Many of these organizations will continue to offer support and take donations in the coming months and years.
If you know someone impacted by these fires, all you can do is be there for them, emotionally and physically, if they need and want it.
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