Here’s How You Can Help Our Fire Victims

Fast-moving wildfires in California have claimed the lives of at least eight people and have destroyed more than 1,000 homes and buildings.

The fires have been fueled by shifting winds, dry vegetation and record-setting temperatures. To date, they’ve burned through more than 260,000 acres of land, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of people across the state.

The largest blaze, the Carr Fire in Northern California, has burned more than 100,000 acres alone and is just 30 percent contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Officials say it’s already one of the 10 most destructive fires in California history.

The entire state is now facing limited firefighting resources because a new fire, the Holy Fire in Orange and Riverside counties, has grown to over 18,000 acres with more than 21,000 residents ordered to evacuate and declaring a state of emergency.

This all comes just less than a year after the worst fire season in California’s history, according to CalFire. Late last year, wildfires killed 44 people, burned more than 500,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and cost the state $9 billion in insurance claims.

Californians are still recovering from those fires, and thousands more will need additional assistance recovering from the blazes that are currently burning across the state — from San Bernardino in the south to Shasta County in the north.

Here are some organizations seeking help in their recovery efforts.

  • The Salvation Army has deployed disaster response teams to help evacuees and first responders in Redding, California, where the Carr Fire has already destroyed hundreds of buildings and threatens thousands more. The organization is collecting monetary donations from the public, which it says will go directly toward relief efforts.
  • GoFundMe has created a list of verified campaigns that are raising money for those impacted by the Carr Fire. Donors can send money to help families, residents, and firefighters.
  • Facebook has launched a crisis response page for those affected by the fires in Northern California. Users can create public posts on the page to request, find or offer help. They also have the option to donate money directly to relief efforts such as GlobalGiving.
  • The Shasta Regional Community Foundation is accepting donations for its Community Disaster Relief Fund. The money collected will be funneled to local nonprofits and disaster relief organizations.
  • The American Red Cross is providing shelter and aid for fire victims in Northern California. Those who want to help the organization can make $10 donations to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or by visiting its website, redcross.org.
  • The Wildfire Firefighter Foundation is accepting donations to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.
  • CNN’s Impact Your World initiative has created a page to collect donations that will go toward seven organizations working on helping the victims of California’s wildfires. The organizations include The Community Foundation Sonoma County, Convoy of Hope and Direct Relief.
  • The California Community Foundation has created a list of resources to help Southern California residents impacted by the Cranston and Rock fires in San Diego and Riverside counties. People can use the list to support relief organizations and send donations.
  • The Haven Humane Society has evacuated and rescued hundreds of pets and other animals from the Carr Fire. The organization is asking the public for donations, including food and supplies, to further help the animals. A full list of supplies can be found on its Facebook page.
  • United Way of Northern California has established the Shasta County Fire Relief Fund to help victims of the Carr Fire. To donate, people can text CARRFIRE to 91999 or visit the organization’s website.
  • California Volunteers, a state office that manages volunteer programs in California, has created a list of services and donation options to help victims affected by the Carr, Ferguson, Mendocino Complex and Cranston fires. People can use the list to find information about donations and volunteering.

Source: pbs.org

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