Wildfire Relief

Since January 2025, the American Red Cross and our partners worked side by side to help people affected by devastating wildfires that impacted communities across Southern California. Fueled by a once-in-a-decade high wind event paired with extremely dry conditions, the wildfires destroyed or severely damaged more than 17,000 homes.

When devastating wildfires swept across Maui and the Island of Hawaii in early August 2023, thousands were forced to flee their homes. In the wake of this heartbreaking disaster, American Red Cross volunteers and employees worked tirelessly to deliver critical aid as residents coped with unthinkable losses and an uncertain future.

While many were still recovering from back-to-back years of record-breaking wildfires, large, devastating wildfires scorched several million acres and destroyed many homes and other structures. Red Cross disaster workers were on the ground beginning in June, providing affected residents with safe lodging, nourishing meals, comfort and care during this ongoing crisis.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people across the western United States were displaced by devastating wildfires. The Red Cross provided shelter, food, and financial assistance to many of the affected households. 

In response to the 2018 California Wildfires, a colossal relief effort was made to provide hundreds of thousands of people with safe shelter, nourishing food and compassionate care during this heart-wrenching disaster.

A massive response was mounted to help hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the 2017 wildfires in both Northern and Southern California.