Summer 2018 California Wildfires: How You Can Help

A wildfire burns near Ukiah in Mendocino County. Photo by Bob Dass

This story was updated Aug. 10, 2018

In an unusually early start to fire season in California, several large wildfires are burning throughout the state, destroying homes and displacing residents.

The massive Carr Fire west of Redding in Northern California has burned more than 180,000 acres in Shasta and Trinity counties and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.

In rural Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties, the Mendocino Complex Fire has burned more than 300,000 acres and become the largest fire in California history; the fire has destroyed more than 100 homes and forced evacuations.

The Ferguson Fire is burning just west of Yosemite National Park, threatening small towns and tourist areas in Mariposa County.

In the San Bernardino National Forest near the town of Idyllwild, the Cranston Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres, destroyed homes and forced thousands to evacuate.

The Holy Fire near Holy Jim and Trabuco canyons in Orange County has burned more than 13,000 acres, destroyed 12 structures and is threatening residences near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. Several firefighters have lost their lives battling the state’s wildfires.

Donations are being accepted by groups assisting local residents and others affected by these fires. Here are some ways to donate or volunteer to help.

Mendocino and Lake Counties

North Coast Opportunities. This nonprofit focuses on helping low-income residents in Northern California counties. It is taking donations for its Wildfire Relief Fund to provide monetary aid to those who have suffered a direct loss due to the fires in Lake and Mendocino counties. Info

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County. The foundation manages a disaster fund that provides monetary assistance, as well as meals, temporary housing and medical care or counseling, to family resource centers, senior centers and other nonprofits offering disaster relief and recovery services to affected residents. Info

American Red Cross of Northern California Coastal Region. The Red Cross is providing food, shelter and relief supplies to those affected by wildfires in California, Oregon and Nevada. Hundreds of disaster workers have responded. You can donate online and specify where your contribution goes; you can also donate by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or you can text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Info

California Army National Guardsmen prepare a helicopter water bucket to fight the Carr Fire in Shasta County. Photo by Staff Sergeant Eddie Siguenza, U.S. Army National Guard

Shasta and Trinity Counties

Shasta Regional Community Foundation. This nonprofit foundation will provide funding to local nonprofits and organizations that offer relief and recovery assistance to communities affected by the fire. It serves people in Shasta and Siskiyou counties in Northern California, and is accepting cash donations online and by mailed check. Info

United Way of Northern California. The group has created the Shasta County Fire Relief Fund to provide monetary assistance to victims whose homes or properties were destroyed, and expenses for those who had to evacuate. Donations can be made online or by texting “CARRFIRE” to 91999. Info

All Saints’ Episcopal Church. This Redding church has started a Disaster Relief Fund for Carr Fire victims and is accepting donations online or by mailed check. Info

GoFundMe. The online fundraising platform has multiple campaigns to assist Carr Fire victims, including one sponsored by Tri Counties Bank in Northern California, which started the fund with an initial donation of $25,000. Info

Other GoFundMe campaigns are also raising funds for victims. Info

The Salvation Army Del Oro Division. This regional division has emergency disaster teams on-site serving meals and providing emotional and spiritual support to evacuees and first responders. Donations are being accepted online, by mailed check or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Info

American Red Cross Gold Country Region. The Red Cross is providing food, shelter and relief supplies to those affected by the fires. Info

Carr Fire group on Facebook. This public Facebook group with thousands of members provides information about the Carr Fire, including how and where to donate and whom to call about stray animals in the fire zone. Info

Cal Fire battalion chief Carl Schwettmann briefs an engine captain as they work to protect homes from the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County. Photo by Jim Bartlett, Team Rubicon/Bureau of Land Management for U.S. Forest Service

Mariposa County

American Red Cross of Central California. The group is providing food, shelter and relief supplies for those affected by the fires. Info

SPCA of Mariposa County. The group has been serving as a 24-hour shelter for evacuated animals during the fires. Info

Photo by Jim Bartlett, Team Rubicon/BLM for USFS

Riverside and Orange Counties

The Community Foundation. This organization that serves inland Southern California is accepting online donations for two funds that will provide fire relief. The Idyllwild Help Center Burgess Fund operates a food pantry and provides utility and medical assistance and other basics for those in need, and the Idyllwild Community Fund benefits Idyllwild and surrounding communities. Info

The Salvation Army Moreno Valley Corps. The group’s Moreno Valley Corps has been providing meals and hygiene kits to evacuees. Financial donations to help in short- and long-term recovery are being accepted online and at 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Info

GoFundMe. The online crowdsourcing fundraising platform has more than a dozen fundraising campaigns for victims of the fire. Info

Firefighting Community

Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The foundation helps families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and assists injured firefighters and their families. It provides financial and logistical assistance and long-term grief and trauma support. Info

GoFundMe. This online fundraising campaign from a restaurant in Lake Elsinore is collecting funds to provide food and a rest area for firefighters and law enforcement personnel responding to the Holy Fire. Info

Note: Use caution when making disaster-aid donations. Sites such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org can help you ensure that a group is legitimate.

Tell us: Do you know of other worthy groups helping those affected by the fires? Please share in the Comments.