Here’s how you can help California wildfire victims

As several wildfires continue to burn throughout the Los Angeles area, nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes – many of them unsure if there would be a home for them to return to.

As of Thursday afternoon, at least five people were killed and over 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the flames. Several states have sent hundreds of firefighters to join those in California, who have spent days trying to control the blazes.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Thursday described the situation as “one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles history.”

If you’re following the news from afar and want to help, here’s a list of organizations accepting donations on behalf of affected communities.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross works to provide shelter, food and mental health services. You can donate money onlineor by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. If you are interested in volunteering with the organization, you can register online after the end of a training session.

The Animal Health Foundation

For residents with pets or who are responsible for farm animals, the Animal Welfare Fund raises money to help house and feed the pets that may be left behind by owners who had to evacuate and could not bring the animals with them. The organization uses an old veterinary hospital in Marina Del Rey to help keep the pets safe. You can donate to their fundraising efforts here. If you or someone you know is evacuating and can’t bring a pet, you can also find shelters that are still available for large or small animals here.

Baby2Baby

Baby2Baby announced on X that it delivers essential items such as nappies, food, formula and hygiene products to children and families who have lost their homes to the fire. To help Baby2Baby further, you can donate to their disaster relief and emergency response program online.

California Community Foundation

The California Community Foundation has one Wildfire Recovery Fund that address the long-term effects of wildfires, such as helping to rebuild homes, providing mental health support and financial assistance, and strengthening infrastructure to improve emergency response systems. You can donate to the fund online or by mailing a check to 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012.

California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation is supporting some of the thousands of firefighters and emergency personnel fighting the fires right now. You can donate to the group online.

Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)

CORE has an emergency response team that supplies hygiene kits, masks and protective equipment to anyone experiencing poor air quality due to the wildfires. You can donate to them here.

Direct relief

Direct Relief is working with two Koreatown YMCA locations to help distribute free protective masks to any residents who may be adversely affected by the smoke. The Koreatown YMCA centers do not accept any online donations, but do accept physical donations – unopened food, clothing, blankets, emergency supplies – in person. Direct Relief set up a fund online that helps everyone who is affected by the wildfires and needs critical help.

GoFundMe

Several people have set up GoFundMe pages for financial help in the wake of the wildfires, and GoFundMe has organized a centralized online hub of all the verified fundraising pages. GoFundMe recommends people go through the verified accounts and choose who and how many accounts they want to help directly. GoFundMe also set up its own Wildfire Relief Fundwhich has a goal of raising $300,000, which the organization aims to give to everyone affected by the fires. (GoFundMe’s 2024 Wildfire Relief Fund was issued to over 150 individuals and families dealing with wildfires in California, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado.)

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank accepts donations of food at its two distribution centers. If you are not based in Los Angeles, you can donate money to the food bank online.

Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation

The foundation is seeking donations to help the Los Angeles Fire Department as they battle the wildfires, including providing them with emergency shelter and necessary tools such as hydration backpacks and brush tools. You can donate here.

The Salvation Army

The Southern California Division of The Salvation Army is working to provide free food, supplies and shelter to all evacuees and first responders. You can donate specifically to the Southern California Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Fund online.

Pasadena Humane

Pasadena Humane animal control officers have assisted with pet and animal evacuations as well as working at shelters where abandoned pets are kept after owners are evacuated. The group announced that they had received over 300 animals on Wednesday afternoon. Pasadena Humane accepts personal donations for the pets and monetary donations online.

World Central kitchen

World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to help distribute food and meals to anyone who needs them. You can donate to help them cook and provide nutritious meals online.

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

The United Way said it is focusing on long-term recovery efforts to support people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. You can support their efforts by donating here.