Southern California Wildfires
American Red Cross Response
In areas with active fires, firefighters are receiving help from the Red Cross in the form of food and clothing. Shelters remain open in areas where fires are keeping people from returning to their homes.
What People Are Saying
"I want to thank the Red Cross for the great work they are doing. Let's give a big, big hand to the Red Cross."
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA)
"… I want to thank most of all the local citizens who helped set up this entire center, most of all our local chapter of the American Red Cross. They were here first, with the mostest, to help set up this center. "
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA)
"The Red Cross is doing just great. Thank you Red Cross. Thank you Red Cross volunteers."
Senator Diane Feinstein (CA)
"There's a new and improved Red Cross on the ground."
Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
"These fires have been a tragedy for the entire state and my sympathy and concern goes out to the victims and their families, we have offered the state of California the full assistance of New Mexico's resources and stand ready to help any way we can. In the meantime, I urge everyone to join us in contributing to the Red Cross, which is the quickest, most effective way to help those displaced by the fires. The Red Cross is on the front lines assisting and caring for the victims, as it always is in times of crisis."
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
"Whether it is support the Red Cross, volunteering, I think there's something that all of us in California can do to help people who have been impacted by the fire."
First Lady Maria Shriver (CA)
"Bravo for the Red Cross. As usual that volunteer organization has outdone itself. They are very noble."
Geraldo Rivera
"The Red Cross is here. Mark Everson, the president of the Red Cross, was with us all day yesterday. They've got a strong presence on the ground—over a thousand people—and by this afternoon, they'll have over 3,000. This is a remarkable example of what happens when we work together as a unit."
David Paulison, FEMA Administrator
How to Get Help
If are in need of emergency shelter, water or food, please contact your local American Red Cross chapter for assistance.
Finding Missing Loved Ones
Before disaster strikes, take time to create a family communications plan and complete an emergency contact card for all family members. Planning ahead is the best way to stay connected when disaster strikes. However, if you are separated from or cannot locate loved ones in the aftermath of a disaster, the Safe and Well List Web site also can be used as a resource when normal communications are disrupted.
How to Support the Relief Efforts
Thanks to the tremendous compassion shown to the residents of Southern California by our generous supporters, the American Red Cross was able to swiftly and successfully raise the cost of one of the largest evacuations in California history. We will no longer initiate new fundraising activities specifically for the Southern California wildfires. You can continue to support future disaster relief efforts by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund. Gifts to this fund enable the Red Cross to provide food, shelter and counseling to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year.
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Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund |
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster.
Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org. |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation to:
American Red Cross
PO Box 4002018
Des Moines, IA 50340-2018
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The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
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Become A Volunteer |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit VolunteerMatch to become a Red Cross volunteer. Although well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas, please contact your local Red Cross chapter to get trained so you will be ready to respond to future disasters. |
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Find your local Red Cross chapter |
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Visit the Red Cross / VolunteerMatch portal |
Currently you will find that Red Cross chapters in Southern California are difficult to reach because staff resources are focused on responding to the wildfires.
The Red Cross has had more than 5,000 workers in Southern California, including volunteers from all 50 states. More than 3,000 local volunteers are working with the Red Cross to help their neighbors in need.
To learn more about California residents making a difference, visit any of the following Web sites:
- VolunteerMatch.org
- HelpinDisaster.org
- California Volunteers
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Promote the Red Cross |
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Support the American Red Cross by hosting an online advertisement/public service banner on your Web site encouraging others to make a financial donation. |
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Sign up to host an online advertisement/public service banner |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.
If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Inquiries Media or Public
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
Medial Requests ONLY |
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NATIONAL Requests: Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
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LOCAL Requests: Find and contact the closest Red Cross Chapter |
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page. |
Additional Resources
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