Several fast-growing wildfires fueled by a vicious Southern California wind storm are devastating communities across the Los Angeles region, with homes being burned to the ground and tens of thousands of people evacuating to safety.
At least five people have been killed in the Eaton Fire, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who told ABC7 the death toll is expected to rise. The blaze has spread more than 10,000 acres in the Altadena-Pasadena area while the Palisades Fire has burned nearly 16,000 acres between the coastal California cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.
More wildfires are being reported in the county, including the 500-acre Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, the 50-acre Lidia Fire in the community of Acton and the 30-acre Woodley Fire in the Sepulveda Basin neighborhood. All the fires are at 0% containment as of Wednesday afternoon.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency and President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration to designate resources to battle the blaze, but more support is needed.
Here are some of the organizations taking donations to help victims of the wildfires.
California Wildfire Relief Fund
GlobalGiving’s California Wildfire Relief Fund is taking donations that the organization says will go directly toward supporting wildfire relief and recovery efforts in the state. The fund aims to provide food, water and shelter to victims through vetted nonprofits.
The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit says they’ve received at least $14,000 in donations.
Live updates:Sheriff says California wildfire death toll has risen to 5 as LA area ablaze
Wildfire Recovery Fund
The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund aims to offer relief to marginalized communities hardest hit by the devastating fires.
The non-profit aims to provide basic needs from shelter, food and cash toward wildfire victims and has raised over $500,00 raised, according to its website.
California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation provides aid to firefighters battling the blazes, as well as their loved ones and the communities they support.
By making a donation, the group says you can help “commemorate fallen heroes, offer scholarships to children of fallen firefighters, provide aid to victims of fire, or other natural disaster, and provide fire safety resources to underserved communities across California.”
Pasadena Humane Society
The Pasadena Humane Society is accepting donations to help support pet evacuations across the LA area.
Ventura County Wildfire Relief & Recovery
Ventura County Wildfire Relief & Recovery provides urgent funding to those in need in neighboring Los Angeles County.
LA Regional Food Bank
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations to distribute healthy food to victims of the wildfires.
The Red Cross-Wildfire Relief
The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles is providing shelter to wildfire victims and their domestic family pets as well as food, water, health and emotional support services. The non-profit is accepting donation while operating an emergency shelter at the Westwood Recreation Center and a shelter for large animals and livestock at Pierce College in Los Angeles.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army accepts donated basic needs for survivors, from protective clothing items, flashlights, device chargers, infant care items or boxes for people to collect their possessions.
The following items are encouraged:
- First aid kits
- Personal protective equipment like dust masks, work gloves, boots or helmets
- Bottled water or other packaged drinks
- Boxes, barrels, garbage bags
- Mops, brooms, rakes, rags and scrub brushes.
- Batteries, flashlights or device chargers
- Work or rain boots
- Hygiene products from soap, disinfectants, hand sanitizer or laundry detergents
- Infant care items such as formula, diapers, and rash cream
- Blankets or pillows
- Underwear or socks
- Packaged or nonperishable food items and snacks
- Hand tools, nails, plywood and hand tools
- Children entertainment from toys to books
