The California Fires
The numbers are staggering. As of today, the devastating wild fires in California have burned more than 410,000 acres (over 640 square miles), destroyed more than 1,500 homes, forced over 500,000 residents to evacuate (some estimates are as high as 1 million displaced), and have caused at least $1 billion in damages. And many of the fires are not yet under control.
I don't think anyone yet has the full picture of what will need to be done to respond to immediate needs, let alone long term recovery. But, there are ways that you can help.
- The San Diego Foundation (a community foundation) has established the After the Fires Fund to pool funds to help respond to the needs of residents, businesses and nonprofits during recovery. They had a similar fund to respond to the 2003 fires, and seem to have done a good job of assessing and responding to community needs.
- The American Red Cross is on the scene and responding to shelter needs. The San Diego/Imperial Counties Red cross can be found here. The Orange County Red Cross is here.
- The Salvation Army is there, supporting both evacuees and firefighters with meals and other immediate needs. The Southern Californian Salvation Army site is here.
- Humane Societies and SPCAs are helping to evacuate and shelter pets and other animals in the path of the fires. The San Diego Humane Society is here. SPCA Los Angeles here.
I'll add other links as funds are established and recovery plans made. I expect that groups like the Mennonite Disaster Services and Habitat for Humanity will be in there helping to rebuild houses once the zones are clear again.
Please feel free to add other good links in the comments.
I'm really thinking of all my friends in the Southern Cal area, and all those folks who are displaced and wondering what's going to happen next. Such a tough situtation.
Take good care, friends.
Peace,
Viv
I don't think anyone yet has the full picture of what will need to be done to respond to immediate needs, let alone long term recovery. But, there are ways that you can help.
- The San Diego Foundation (a community foundation) has established the After the Fires Fund to pool funds to help respond to the needs of residents, businesses and nonprofits during recovery. They had a similar fund to respond to the 2003 fires, and seem to have done a good job of assessing and responding to community needs.
- The American Red Cross is on the scene and responding to shelter needs. The San Diego/Imperial Counties Red cross can be found here. The Orange County Red Cross is here.
- The Salvation Army is there, supporting both evacuees and firefighters with meals and other immediate needs. The Southern Californian Salvation Army site is here.
- Humane Societies and SPCAs are helping to evacuate and shelter pets and other animals in the path of the fires. The San Diego Humane Society is here. SPCA Los Angeles here.
I'll add other links as funds are established and recovery plans made. I expect that groups like the Mennonite Disaster Services and Habitat for Humanity will be in there helping to rebuild houses once the zones are clear again.
Please feel free to add other good links in the comments.
I'm really thinking of all my friends in the Southern Cal area, and all those folks who are displaced and wondering what's going to happen next. Such a tough situtation.
Take good care, friends.
Peace,
Viv