How to Help People Affected by California Wildfires
California is fighting three simultaneous wildfires that have destroyed nearly 200,000 acres and killed 31 people. According to CBS News, more than 250,000 people have been evacuated and thousands of homes burned to the ground. Here’s how you can help.
Airbnb
Are you an Airbnb host within reach of wildfires? The company is encouraging its owners from nearby homes not to allow evacuees and rescuers to stay free of charge until November 29, in accordance with the Time. At the moment, about 900 hosts have made an offer. Are you joining them or looking for where to stay here .
Enloe Medical Center
The largest fire, called Camp Fire, occurred at this Chico hospital, according to the New York Times . Enloe donations are used by “patients, families and caregivers who have lost their homes or been displaced by fire.” You can donate here or write “CampFireRelief” to 91999.
Caring choice
Caring Choices, also based in Chico, organizes volunteers. Certified doctors and nurses are needed to provide medical care, but they also need people to help displaced animals, and are asking their site for donation of N95 respirator masks as well as financial assistance. They also remind people that “this is a marathon, not a sprint”; volunteers will be needed for many more weeks.
North Valley Community Foundation :
This non-profit organization also organizes events in Chico to feed and shelter evacuees from the campfire camp. As a local organization, they are familiar with churches and community centers in the area that need help. You can donate to them here .
Direct relief
This organization is constantly working to help with forest fires; they keep an inventory of essential equipment such as N-95 masks and respiratory supplies for healthcare facilities and first responders. You can donate here .
California Public Endowment Wildlife Aid Foundation
The fund opened in 2003 and provides “medium to long term recovery from California’s major wildfires and preparedness measures.” They help rebuild homes and offer financial and psychological assistance to those affected by the fires. Find out more here .
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army organizes lunches at churches, fairgrounds and community colleges according to The New York Times , and these are located in both the northern and southern fringes of the state. More information here .
The United Way of Greater Los Angeles
United Way is raising money specifically to help low-income fire-affected residents; Several workers ‘neighborhoods in Malibu and Ventura counties have suffered despite the neighborhoods’ reputation for luxury mansions. Donate money to help them recover here .
Entertainment Industry Foundation
This non-profit organization is specifically dedicated to raising money to help firefighters and other emergency workers working on forest fires. They are partnering with the Los Angeles Fire Foundation, which requires special equipment such as hydration backpacks and night vision goggles for helicopter pilots. They also provide food money for workers and evacuees in shelters. Donate here .
The Humane Society of Ventura County
In addition to people displaced by wildfires, there are thousands of displaced, lost or injured animals. The non-profit organization accepts and helps pets like dogs, cats and birds, but they also rescue livestock and horses that are common in the area. Help them here .
GoFundMe
The crowdfunding company has an entire page of fundraising efforts aimed at victims of the California fires. You can even donate to specific families who have lost their homes and belongings, or other campaigns confirmed by the site here .
LAFD Foundation
The Los Angeles Fire Department currently accepts cash donations on their homepage , but they also accept donations from vehicles that will be used to help firefighters and first responders, according to Variety. LAFD’s long-term funding supports training, youth programs, outreach and equipment for the department.
Don’t forget to donate money
After a disaster, there is an immediate need for things like food, clothing and shelter, but as people recover, the most useful thing will always be money. The organizers know best what the money needs to be allocated for. ABC News reports that shelters in the area are primarily looking for gift cards for large stores or gift cards that can be used to buy gasoline. An organization called Baby2Baby has a registry where you can buy essentials for babies and babies, such as diapers.
While some shelters still accept items, others have difficulty storing them. If you are bringing clothes, pre-sort by size and gender, if necessary. This makes it easier to distribute the garment to the people who can use it the most.
Updated on 16.11 to reflect new information.