13 ways to help those affected by the California wildfires and the heroes fighting them
- Multiple wildfires are raging across northern and southern California.
- The fires are scorching chunks of land and displacing hundreds of thousands of people as authorities battle high winds and a trend of terrible weather conditions to contain the fires.
- These are the organizations accepting donations for supplies, meals, and relief funds.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
Multiple wildfires are raging across northern and southern California, scorching huge chunks of land and forcing more than 200,000 people to evacuate.
The Kincade Fire is currently the biggest in the state, as it has burned more than 66,000 acres since it broke out in Sonoma County on October 23 and destroyed at least 96 buildings.
The Getty and Tick fires have also scorched large portions of Southern California and forced thousands to evacuate.
The US Center for International Disaster Information has declared sending money is the most effective way to help in a crisis, so we compiled a list of several reputable organizations accepting donations for supplies, meals, and relief funds, with the help of Charity Navigator.
Here's how you can help.
General aid: California Community Foundation
The foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund program takes donations for emergency short-term financial assistance and resources to both firefighters and civilians affected by fires and natural disasters in California year-round.
General aid: American Red Cross
The Red Cross is collecting donations to provide shelter, food, relief, and medical services to both civilians and emergency workers affected by the fires.
General relief: GlobalGiving
The crowdfunding platform has a fund set aside for damage from the Kincade fire that its site said will be split among immediate relief efforts like providing food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter, in addition to a portion sent to reliable local nonprofit partnerss for long-term relief efforts.
Emergency worker support: Direct Relief
The organization is collecting donations to buy supplies like N-95 masks, medicine, and other resources to provide to healthcare agencies and first responders in the wildfire-affected areas.
Firefighter support: Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports the LAFD with private funding to help get equipment and supplies, training and outreach, and fund youth programs after the city stops being able to contribute.
Donate here »
Recovery efforts: Community Foundation of Sonoma County
The organization's Resilience Fund is a source of long-term recovery efforts in Sonoma County.
Emergency worker support: Entertainment Industry Foundation
Funds from the nonprofit provide hydration backpacks, night vision goggles, and meals for firefighters and other emergency workers battling the fires.
Food distribution: World Central Kitchen
Those interested can volunteer with the organization to serve meals at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds to fire evacuees.
Low-income support: United Way of the Wine Country
The organization's Kincade Fire Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund is accepting donations to support relief and recovery efforts.
Food distribution: Sonoma Family Meal
The organization reunited after last year's devastating fires to serve local meat and produce to Kincade fire evacuees. Donate here »
Relief fund for lost homes: United Way of Northern California
The local chapter has established a relief fund for those who have lost their homes.
Resources for undocumented people: UndocuFund
UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County is raising funds for undocumented people who have been affected by the Kincade Fire.
Crowdfunding: GoFundMe
GoFundMe has collected several relevant funds that support wildfire relief for families, towns, and organizations.