California Wildfires: What’s Happening and How We Can Do Something About It

On behalf of the DoSomething.org staff and its 6 million members, we are thinking of everyone affected by the intense fires in California and hoping you are safe.

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

• Over the past week, three California wildfires have caused massive destruction and continue to threaten parts of both Northern and Southern California.
• The Camp Fire located in a large forest area near Chico, is considered the most destructive and deadliest fire in California state history. It’s destroyed over 6,400 homes already and is only 25% contained.
• The Woolsey Fire in Malibu has also taken lives and caused massive damage to property, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate. It is 20% contained as of writing.
• The Hill Fire burned over 4,500 acres and is 75% contained. Today, two new fires started in Ventura County in Southern California.
• Firefighters and first responders are working around the clock to stop the fires and help evacuees.

RESOURCES IF YOU NEED HELP:

Track the fires in real-time to understand what areas they are affecting and whether you need to evacuate.

If you’re in an evacuation zone and need to find shelter, check out the list from the Red Cross. Across Ventura County and Southern California, Airbnb hosts are opening their homes for free for displaced people from the Hill or Woolsey Fires.

Animals are currently being accepted for shelter from the fire by Wildfire Recovery and the Humane Society of Butte County.

HOW YOU CAN HELP IF YOU AREN’T IN AFFECTED AREAS:

Donating funds to organizations on the ground during a natural disaster has been proven to be the most effective way to help those affected. If you aren’t in the affected areas, want to help, and have a few dollars to spare, consider giving to these organizations that are working around the clock to stop the fires and help evacuees. If you can’t donate now, share this article with friends and family to build support.

Organizations accepting monetary donations:

• LA Fire Department Foundation: The LA fire department foundation is directly accepting donations to provide relief to the firefighters working around the clock in the form of much needed hydration backpacks.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles and United Way of Northern California: United Way is giving one-time cash grants to economically disadvantaged survivors of the fires. Your donation will help with getting basic resources for those affected.