In the last week, 22 large, fast-moving wildfires in Northern California have burned more than 215,000 acres, killed at least 41 people and destroyed around 5,700 homes and commercial structures.
While nearly 11,000 firefighters have helped partially contain many of the blazes, the crisis is far from over: At least 40,000 people remain evacuated. It’s unclear when they’ll be able to return home, and some have no homes to return to.
In light of the ongoing disaster, here’s how you can help:
If you live farther away, or would prefer to donate money:
Charitable organizations almost always prefer cash donations over donations of physical goods because they’re faster, more efficient and can be used to purchase whatever is needed. Before you donate, look at the California Office of the Attorney General’s charities website to ensure you’re not falling for a scam.
The following is a list of charities compiled by CaliforniaVolunteers, a government-run office that coordinates volunteer opportunities in the state:
Northern California Fire Fund (Northern California Grantmakers)
Serving Northern CaliforniaNorthern California Fire Fund (Silicon Valley Community Foundation)
Serving Northern CaliforniaThe Salvation Army
Serving Northern CaliforniaCommunity Foundation of Mendocino County: Disaster Fund Donation Page
Serving Mendocino CountyCommunity Foundation Sonoma County: Resilience Fund Donation Page
Serving Sonoma CountyNapa Valley Community Foundation: Fire Donation Page
Serving Napa CountyUnited Way Bay Area
Serving Napa CountyUnited Way of the Wine Country
Serving Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma CountiesNorth Bay Fire Relief Fund
Serving Lake CountyNorth Coast Opportunities
Serving Lake CountyAmerican Red Cross
Serving all countiesCenter for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership
Serving Napa and Sonoma Counties
If you live in or near the affected region:
California Airbnb hosts can sign up here to offer free housing to evacuees and relief workers. So far, just under 750 hosts have answered the call.
Consider donating nonperishable goods to a food pantry. Here’s a list of food pantries in Napa County, food pantries in Yuba County and food pantries in Sonoma County.
If you live in or near Sonoma and are willing to volunteer, you can register to do so at the Sonoma Community Center, which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those in or near Napa willing to volunteer are being asked to sign up and create a profile with the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership.
You could also foster an animal. Hundreds of pets have been evacuated from animal shelters in the affected region, leading to crowded facilities elsewhere. Check with your local animal rescue facility ― NBC Bay Area has a great list of them here ― to see how you can help.
If you’re in the region of the Tubbs Fire (including Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino counties), join the Tubbs Fire Facebook Group, where people are coordinating requests and offers for help.