California On Fire

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

California fire season is in full swing and sweeping across Northern California. If you have been affected by these recent fires or want to help those that have, here are some resources to get you started.

Donate to The Salvation Army’s wildfire relief fund at https://deloro.salvationarmy.org/del_oro/northern-california-wildfires

The Red Cross assists fire evacuees. They can also use donations; you can give online, www.redcross.org/donate/donation, call 800-RED-CROSS or text Red Cross to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Give to a California food bank that’s helping victims, but make sure they still need donations. Here’s a list: www.cafoodbanks.org/find-food-bank

For information on fires currently burning go to Cal Fire's incident page. You can find details about specific fires including location, acreage burned and evacuation orders and centers.

Stay clear of evacuation routes as much as possible if you are not under evacuation orders. Donors should not approach evacuation areas.

Do not call 911 for general information. Call only for an emergency including unattended, active flames and life-threatening emergencies. Please keep these lines open for emergency responders.

If people who have been affected by the fires need mental health help they should call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's Disaster Distress Helpline, which provides confidential counseling for people impacted by forest fires and other disasters.

 If you know someone directly in need of clothing, food, or other material supplies, providing help directly is the most effective form of relief.