LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 – The American Red Cross began the distribution of emergency supplies this week to areas affected by the Woolsey and Hill fires.

With some evacuation orders lifted in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Red Cross response vehicles began delivering supplies to areas affected by the wildfires that have scorched more than 98,300 acres and destroyed more than 500 structures. Another 57,000 structures are still threatened by this fire, which is only 52% contained.

Each Red Cross response vehicle carries rakes, shovels, garbage bags, respirator masks, gloves, sifters, cleaning supplies and bottled water to distribute to people who have returned to their homes. Distribution is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Four Red Cross shelters also remain open to provide access to health services, emotional support, and more information from agencies participating in the recovery process.

RED CROSS SHELTERS IN LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES INCLUDE:

Taft Charter High School – 5461 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA

Pierce College – 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA

Palisades Charter High School – 5777 Bowdoin St, Pacific Palisades, CA

California Lutheran University – 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA

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.

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 CAWILDFIRES 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. You should also:

• Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications and medical supplies. Keep it in the car. 
• Identify nearby shelter sites and know your routes to get there. 
• Create a household evacuation plan that includes your pets. 
• Keep your pets in one room so you can find them quickly if you have to evacuate. 
• Arrange for a temporary place to stay outside the threatened area. 
• Keep your indoor air clean – close windows and doors to prevent the smoke outside from getting in your home. 
• Use the recycle mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. If you don’t have air conditioning and it’s too hot to be inside, seek shelter somewhere else. 
• If smoke levels are high, don’t use anything that burns and adds to air pollution inside such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information about the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.