Fed by powerful winds and cloudless skies, fires continue to rage across California. The Kincade fire in the Sonoma County wine country has swelled to over 70,000 acres—twice the size of San Francisco—and has forced about 200,000 people from their homes. Los Angeles County was just getting a handle on the Tick and Saddle Ridge fires when the new Getty inferno flared up, threatening the famed art museum complex. And now the Easy fire threatens Simi Valley.
Some people have already lost their homes, and many more may. Far more will be without homes or electricity for some time. They all need help, which you can best provide by donating money to relief organizations working in the communities. Several provide shelter, food, toiletries, cash, and counseling support to people, while others offer rescue and care for displaced pets.
You can donate to umbrella organizations providing aid across the state or focus on specific needs in specific regions.
Statewide
- General aid: The American Red Cross
- Cash assistance: California Fire Foundation
- Health needs: Direct Relief
Northern California
- General aid: Petaluma People Services Center
- Immigrant assistance: UndocuFund
- Food: Sonoma Family Meal
- Food: Redwood Empire Food Bank
- Animals: Sonoma County Animal Services
Southern California
- General aid: United Way of Greater Los Angeles
- General aid: Entertainment Industry Foundation
- Food: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Animals: Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation
- Animals: Humane Society of Ventura County
This article has been updated with more organizations.