LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 - Fast-moving wildfires are consuming thousands of acres in California, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. The American Red Cross is there, providing shelter and emotional support for the evacuees.
The Red Cross has opened 8 shelters for evacuees of the Woolsey and Hill fires, which have already burned over 35,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, threatening more than 21,000 structures and almost 80,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate.
The Red Cross and local governments have numerous evacuation centers open where hundreds of people are seeking refuge, along with centers which are accepting animals.
Red Cross shelters offer food, emergency relief supplies, emotional support, and health services to people in need. Pets are permitted in all open Red Cross shelters except Palisades Charter High School as long they are secured in a crate and kept next to their owner at all times.
Conditions can change quickly and everyone is urged to visit redcross.org or download the Red Cross Emergency App to check the status and location of the nearest open shelter.
RED CROSS SHELTERS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AS OF 7 P.M.
RED CROSS SHELTERS IN VENTURA COUNTY AS OF 7 P.M.
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS FOR ANIMALS ONLY
Weather forecasts call for more hot and dry weather, which could lead to more fires. The Red Cross is working with local officials to monitor the situation and respond as needed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP The Red Cross works 24/7 to be ready to respond to disasters like wildfires and other countless crises. Please donate to the Red Cross now to help. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
KEEP IN TOUCH It’s important to keep in touch with loved ones during an emergency. The Red Cross has two ways people can let others know they are okay. The Red Cross Safe and Well website is a free public reunification tool that allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is always available and open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website. Registrations can also be completed by texting SAFE to 78876. Messages exist in both Spanish and English. Watch this video for more information,
The free Emergency App mentioned above also includes an “I’m Safe” feature you can also use to let others know about your current situation.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
WILDFIRE SAFETY STEPS It’s crucial that people listen to local and state officials and be prepared to evacuate quickly. Turn on your TV/radio,or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing your direction of escape.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.