Fall 2018 California Wildfires: How You Can Help
Here are ways to donate to help victims of the Northern and Southern California fires
Several fast-moving wildfires burning in California have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, destroyed thousands of homes and caused dozens of deaths. The Camp Fire has burned most of the town of Paradise in Northern California. It has burned 125,000 acres as of Nov. 13, destroying more than 6,500 residences and killing 42 people, making it the deadliest fire on record in the state.
In Southern California, the wind-driven Woolsey Fire outside Los Angeles has burned more than 96,000 acres between the suburb of Simi Valley and the Pacific Ocean. The fire has spread east to the edge of the San Fernando Valley and south to Malibu, displacing thousands of residents. An estimated 435 homes have been destroyed. In Ventura County, near Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, strong Santa Ana winds have fueled the Hill Fire, which has burned 4,500 acres. A brush fire in Griffith Park near the Los Angeles Zoo on Nov. 9 grew to about 60 acres and was extinguished the same day.
In Southern California, the wind-driven Woolsey Fire outside Los Angeles has burned more than 96,000 acres between the suburb of Simi Valley and the Pacific Ocean. The fire has spread east to the edge of the San Fernando Valley and south to Malibu, displacing thousands of residents. An estimated 435 homes have been destroyed. In Ventura County, near Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, strong Santa Ana winds have fueled the Hill Fire, which has burned 4,500 acres. A brush fire in Griffith Park near the Los Angeles Zoo on Nov. 9 grew to about 60 acres and was extinguished the same day.
This image from a NASA satellite shows the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, on Nov. 8. NASA Earth Observatory image by Joshua Stevens
Camp Fire
Enloe Medical Center. This facility in Chico is accepting donations through its Enloe Foundation to help patients, families and caregivers who have lost their homes or been displaced by the Camp Fire. Info
North Valley Community Foundation. The foundation is taking tax-deductible donations through two funds: The Northern California Fire Relief Fund assists community organizations serving evacuees and first responders for the Camp Fire; the Butte County Schools Fire Relief Fund provides support directly to schools in Butte County affected by the fire. Donors can make a general donation to the fund or specify a particular district or use, such as for schoolbooks, clothing and the like. Info
Golden Valley Bank. The Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation is taking donations for funds set up by local businesses that will go toward long-term rebuilding efforts. Info
World Central Kitchen. This nonprofit organization founded by chef José Andrés provides food-related aid to those in need, including feeding disaster victims around the world. Donations for the Camp Fire help pay for meals served to evacuees and first responders. Info
Camp Fire
Enloe Medical Center. This facility in Chico is accepting donations through its Enloe Foundation to help patients, families and caregivers who have lost their homes or been displaced by the Camp Fire. Info
North Valley Community Foundation. The foundation is taking tax-deductible donations through two funds: The Northern California Fire Relief Fund assists community organizations serving evacuees and first responders for the Camp Fire; the Butte County Schools Fire Relief Fund provides support directly to schools in Butte County affected by the fire. Donors can make a general donation to the fund or specify a particular district or use, such as for schoolbooks, clothing and the like. Info
Golden Valley Bank. The Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation is taking donations for funds set up by local businesses that will go toward long-term rebuilding efforts. Info
World Central Kitchen. This nonprofit organization founded by chef José Andrés provides food-related aid to those in need, including feeding disaster victims around the world. Donations for the Camp Fire help pay for meals served to evacuees and first responders. Info
Sacramento firefighter Chris Harvey feeds apples to donkeys displaced by the Camp Fire, while awaiting the arrival of animal control officers. Photo by Fire Chief Gary Loesch, Sacramento Fire Department
The Salvation Army. The group’s Del Oro Division has deployed emergency teams to provide meals and support to victims of the Camp Fire at various shelter locations. It is accepting donations online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Info
University of California, Davis. The school’s Veterinary Catastrophic Need Fund provides veterinary medical treatment at its teaching hospital for animals injured in natural disasters or accidents. It’s accepting donations to care for fire-injured animals at no cost; a response team at the Butte County fairgrounds is evaluating and treating animals for burns, dehydration and other injuries. Info
United Way of Northern California. The NorCal Disaster Relief Fund aids victims of the Camp Fire, with donations providing emergency cash and basic necessities such as food, gas and clothing to people who have lost their homes or been displaced by the fire. Info
The Salvation Army. The group’s Del Oro Division has deployed emergency teams to provide meals and support to victims of the Camp Fire at various shelter locations. It is accepting donations online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Info
University of California, Davis. The school’s Veterinary Catastrophic Need Fund provides veterinary medical treatment at its teaching hospital for animals injured in natural disasters or accidents. It’s accepting donations to care for fire-injured animals at no cost; a response team at the Butte County fairgrounds is evaluating and treating animals for burns, dehydration and other injuries. Info
United Way of Northern California. The NorCal Disaster Relief Fund aids victims of the Camp Fire, with donations providing emergency cash and basic necessities such as food, gas and clothing to people who have lost their homes or been displaced by the fire. Info
An aerial view of wildfire smoke in Southern California, taken on Nov. 13. Photo by Jane Choi Kim
Woolsey and Hill Fires
California Community Foundation. The foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports relief and recovery efforts associated with California wildfires. Its funds provide assistance for basic needs, mental health services and financial help, as well as follow-up medical care and supplies for fire victims. Info
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The foundation supports first responders fighting on the front lines of wildfires. It is currently requesting donations for hydration backpacks for the firefighters in Southern California.
The Salvation Army. The organization’s California South Division is working with government and nonprofit agencies to provide food, basic necessities and shelter to fire victims and first responders. Since the fires started, they have provided hundreds of meals, drink and snacks. Info
United Way of Greater Los Angeles. The organization is partnering with United Way of Ventura County to collect donations for its Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the Hill and Woolsey fires and other natural disasters in the area, particularly low-income residents. Info
Woolsey and Hill Fires
California Community Foundation. The foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports relief and recovery efforts associated with California wildfires. Its funds provide assistance for basic needs, mental health services and financial help, as well as follow-up medical care and supplies for fire victims. Info
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The foundation supports first responders fighting on the front lines of wildfires. It is currently requesting donations for hydration backpacks for the firefighters in Southern California.
The Salvation Army. The organization’s California South Division is working with government and nonprofit agencies to provide food, basic necessities and shelter to fire victims and first responders. Since the fires started, they have provided hundreds of meals, drink and snacks. Info
United Way of Greater Los Angeles. The organization is partnering with United Way of Ventura County to collect donations for its Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by the Hill and Woolsey fires and other natural disasters in the area, particularly low-income residents. Info
Humane Society of Ventura County officers spent time at Zuma Beach in Malibu caring for animals evacuated from the Woolsey Fire. Photo by Humane Society of Ventura County
Humane Society of Ventura County. The organization is in need of funds to serve evacuated animals being housed at the shelter. Direct donations are being accepted, and items like food and toys can be purchased through its Amazon wish list. Info
Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation. This foundation supports the county’s Department of Animal Care and Control through fundraising for various programs. It also assists in disaster relief through its Noah’s Legacy Fund, providing supplies, training and equipment during natural disasters. Its animal-safe trailers provide temporary shelter for evacuated pets and for horses during fires. Info
Humane Society of Ventura County. The organization is in need of funds to serve evacuated animals being housed at the shelter. Direct donations are being accepted, and items like food and toys can be purchased through its Amazon wish list. Info
Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation. This foundation supports the county’s Department of Animal Care and Control through fundraising for various programs. It also assists in disaster relief through its Noah’s Legacy Fund, providing supplies, training and equipment during natural disasters. Its animal-safe trailers provide temporary shelter for evacuated pets and for horses during fires. Info
Smoke from the Woolsey Fire seen from downtown Los Angeles. Photo by Steve Hymon
Ventura County Community Foundation. The foundation has set up the Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Fund, designed to support the immediate needs of community nonprofit organizations serving those affected by the wildfires. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of both fires. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups. The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance.
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Ventura County Community Foundation. The foundation has set up the Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Fund, designed to support the immediate needs of community nonprofit organizations serving those affected by the wildfires. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of both fires. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups. The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance.
More
In the Face of Disaster, Architects Are Redesigning Their Role
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
Direct Relief. This group provides resources to health care agencies and first responders in wildfire-affected areas throughout the western U.S. It is providing respiratory masks, inhalers and other essential supplies to fire-affected communities in California. Info
Entertainment Industry Foundation. The foundation’s Music for Relief program provides aid to survivors of natural disasters around the world and is raising money through its Fire Relief Fund to support firefighters and first responders involved in the California fires. Info
American Red Cross. The organization is providing shelter and emotional support for fire evacuees, offering food, emergency relief supplies and health services. Financial donations are being accepted online or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Info
GoFundMe. The crowd-funding platform has set up a page with specific campaigns to help victims of all three California fires. Info