Greater Los Angeles Wildfires and How to Help
There have been large amounts of acres burned from multiple wildfires in the Greater Los Angeles area, in the early days, creating chaos and destruction across communities. These fast-moving wildfires have burned an estimated 12,300 structures in a matter of days, leaving municipal firefighting resources dangerously thin. These Southern California fires have now burned more than 100,000 acres so far, destroying homes, places of worship, schools and many businesses, causing heartbreak and devastation for so many affected.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Individuals, regardless of where they reside, can help those affected by the wildfires. After a disaster, financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to the people who need it most. Cash donations allow organizations to take advantage of wholesale purchase pricing and be flexible to adjust purchases to meet changing needs. Unsolicited donations of goods often do not align with the needs on-the-ground. Listed below are resources to connect with in order to make a financial donation, donate blood, or volunteer.
Make A Donation
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- American Red Cross: The American Red Cross depends on financial donations to be able to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires by visiting American Red Cross | Help Those Affected by Disasters, calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
- Americares: Provides emergency medicine, supplies, and other aid to disaster victims. Go to Americares | Disaster Relief & Global Health Organization | Americares for more information and to donate.
- World Central Kitchen: WCK responds to natural disasters, man-made crises, and humanitarian emergencies around the world. The team of food first responders, mobilizing with the urgency to get meals to the people who need them most, World Central Kitchen (wck.org)
Donate Blood
AVOIDING SCAMS
To help individuals avoid scams and frauds after disasters, please note the following advice from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CT DCP):
- Do your research: Before donating, use online resources like the Better Business Bureau, Wise Giving Alliance, Guidestar, Charity Navigator, and Charity Watch, which all provide information about non-profit organizations and charities.
- Be cautious of “look alike” websites: Websites will sometimes try and impersonate legitimate charities. Verify the URL in your browser before giving any money online. These fraudulent websites will often ask for personal financial information and may download harmful malware onto your computer. Don’t assume that charity recommendations on Facebook or other social media sites are legitimate.
- Ask questions: Ask how your donation will be used. and ask the solicitor to be specific. If the answer is vague be wary.
- Know who you are talking to: If you receive an email or text message asking for a donation, confirm that the request is from the charity, and not an imposter, by contacting the charity or visiting its website. A legitimate charity will always give you time to verify its identity and do your research.
- Don’t be pressured: Do not donate if the solicitor uses high-pressure tactics, asks for payment in cash, or insists on sending someone to pick up your donation.
- Avoid paying in an untraceable form of payment: Donate by check or credit card, not by wire transfer or cash.
- Never give out personal information: Never give out information such as your social security number or bank account numbers over the phone or internet, or to an untrusted source.
For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Department of Consumer Protection by emailing, dcp.complaints@ct.gov or visit, https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/dcp-programs-and-services?language=en_US. In addition, visit the Better Business Bureau website to report a scam or look up a scam at, https://bbb.org/scamtracker
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SOURCES: American Red Cross; Americares; World Central Kitchen
PREPARED BY: 211/tb
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2025
