LOS ANGELES, MAY 18, 2021 — The time to prepare you and your loved ones for wildfires is NOW, announced the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region today as we reach the mid-point of National Wildfire Awareness Month. This past week, the Red Cross responded to two wildfires – Pine and Palisades fires – causing great concern that the prescribed wildfire season (June – August) is starting earlier and will be worse than last year.
Last week, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that 700% more acres have burned in 2021 compared to the same time last year, with more than 14,000 acres burned in more than 2,000 wildfires just since the start of the year.
As we did last year, Red Cross LA is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of those affected by disasters and is training its workforce for what lies ahead. Working closely with local emergency management teams and our community partners, trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call round-the-clock and ready to assist with providing shelter, meals, disaster assessment, resources and more.