Five major wildfires – Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset – are currently ravaging Los Angeles, driven by intense Santa Ana winds. The death toll currently stands at five, with 130,000 residents under evacuation orders. The Palisades fire, now the city’s most destructive on record, has burned 17,234 acres. Over 1.2 million residents are without power, and nearly 1,900 structures have been destroyed.
Ways to help and Donate
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is working with government agencies and other nonprofit organizations to respond to the disaster. The food bank is accepting donations of both money and food at its two distribution centers, as well as additional help from volunteers. You can find more information about their work here.
The California Fire Foundation is supporting some of the 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel on the ground right now; you can donate to their efforts directly.
The nonprofit Baby2Baby is providing essential items such as diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products for children and families in Los Angeles in dire need, collaborating with 470 partner organizations—from schools to shelters and hospitals—in LA County. You can donate directly to their disaster and emergency relief program.
The American Red Cross is responding to people in need of support as they flee the wildfires—you can donate to their efforts here. Their network provides services to more than 10 million residents in 88 cities across Los Angeles County, as well as parts of Ventura County and Kern County. Monetary donations also help to support their two emergency shelters for people impacted by the Palisades fire.
The Animal Wellness Foundation is raising funds to assist in housing and feeding pets that had to be left behind by owners who evacuated. The organization is using an old vet hospital in Marina Del Rey. Donate directly here. The Canine Rescue Club is doing the same.
The World Central Kitchen’s Southern California relief team is providing sandwiches and water to evacuated people in need of immediate relief and resources, as well as to responders and emergency personnel on the frontlines. Pasadena Convention Center is their main hub; donate to their efforts here.