It is hard to overstate the brutality of the 2018 wildfire season here in California. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced. Thousands more have lost their homes, their pets, and their precious belongings. Recovery from this year and from the flames will take significant time, money, and effort. To pitch in and make a difference, read on!
Last week, firefighters hit an important milestone. In their battle against the three largest fires: The Carr Fire, the Ranch Fire, and the Ferguson Fire, they were able to reach 50 percent containment.
California Wildfire Update
The Carr Fire began on July 23rd, started by a car. It is burning in Shasta County and has topped 200k acres in size. As of Monday morning, it was 61 percent contained. It has destroyed over 1,500 structures. 3 fatalities are connected to the fire.
The Ranch Fire is burning in Mendocino County and its cause is still under investigation. By the time you’re reading this, it will have topped 300k acres burned. It has now been confirmed as the largest wildfire in state history. 2 firefighters have been injured and well over 1,500 structures have been destroyed.
The Ferguson Fire is the biggest in recorded history for the Sierra National Forest. It was closing in on 100k acres yesterday. Its cause is under investigation. 2 fatalities and 19 injuries are connected to the fire, along with the destruction of 10 buildings.
To get updates on California wildfires under the jurisdiction of Cal Fire, click here. To view a map of more than 30 active fire or fire-related incidents in our state, click here.
How You Can Help
Donate Your Money
Text “CARRFIRE” to 91999 to donate to the United Way. Once you send the text, they will respond with instructions for giving.
The Red Cross is sheltering thousands of evacuees from the fires. You can either donate to the organization as a whole or request that your money goes to help with fire efforts specifically.
The Salvation Army is collecting donations to help with sheltering victims and first responders. You can also register to donate monthly and become a longterm supporter.
Search the Charity Navigator with keywords like “wildfire” to find other donation opportunities.
Donate Your Time
The California Volunteers site keeps a running list of both volunteering and donation opportunities. If you love serving your community, this is a great website to bookmark.
Check the Facebook page – Crisis response pages for the Carr, Ranch/Mendocino Complex Fire, and the Holy Fire have been set up and include the latest news, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities.
The California Community Foundation works to aid the homeless of Southern California affected by this wildfire season. Their donation and volunteering information is organized by region, which is helpful!
If you are part of an organization that delivers aid or resources to those fighting the fires, please be sure to comment below. We would love to hear from you!
