Media Contact:
Christine Welch, Communications Director
Email: christine.welch@redcross.org
Phone: 909-374-0376                                                                            

SAN DIEGO — September 10, 2020 — At the County of San Diego's request, and with immediate client needs met and some evacuation orders lifted, the American Red Cross has closed its Temporary Evacuation Point at El Capitan High School. People who remain under an evacuation from their homes and who require emergency assistance can still go to Temporary Evacuation Point at Steele Canyon High School at 12440 Campo Road in Spring Valley, where volunteers are providing food, hydration, emergency lodging, and more.

In response to the Valley Fire, the Red Cross has supported 145 families (399 individuals) who needed shelter by providing 150 hotel rooms nearby along with 3,428 meals and 2,824 snacks. Many families are staying in these hotels overnight until they receive the notice of the evacuation order being lifted in their area.

The San Diego Humane Society continues to support small animal lodging, along with requests for assistance with horses at the nearby Lakeside Rodeo Grounds. Large animals (other livestock, excluding horses) are currently being evacuated to the Iron Oak Canyon Ranch, 12310 Campo Road, Spring Valley.

For the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County, the Temporary Evacuation Point at Redlands East Valley High School at 31000 East Colton Ave. continues to help those affected. The Red Cross has supported 118 families (309 individuals) who needed shelter by providing 129 hotel rooms nearby.

A Temporary Evacuation Point is not a shelter, it is a rest site for those affected to assess their needs and for the Red Cross to present lodging options. At Temporary Evacuation Points, Red Cross volunteers provide snacks, water and COVID-19 safety resources and work with evacuees to arrange lodging. Following DPH and CDC COVID-19 safety protocols, Red Cross volunteers are maintaining social distancing and sanitizing routines at evacuation points, and County Public Health partners and Red Cross nurse volunteers perform health checks.

As CAL FIRE works to contain the Valley Fire and El Dorado fire, the Red Cross will monitor the situation and respond with evacuation points as needed. 

The American Red Cross Southern California Region is dedicated to helping those affected by disasters. We work closely with local emergency management teams and our partners to coordinate relief efforts. Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call round-the-clock and are ready to assist in aspects such as providing shelter, meals, disaster assessment, resources and more.

Those impacted by the Valley Fire and El Dorado Fire can mark themselves "safe" or search for friends and family at SafeAndWell.org, a Red Cross website and free tool that helps reunite loved ones during disasters.

Returning Home After a Wildfire

• Do not enter your neighborhood or your home until fire officials say it is safe.
• Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning.
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles and downed wires.
• Watch for ash pits and mark them for safety—warn family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits.
• Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn your pets’ paws or hooves.
• Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.
• Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
• Wear leather gloves and heavy soled shoes to protect hands and feet.
• Cleaning products, paint, batteries and damaged fuel containers need to be disposed of properly.
• Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left burning embers that could reignite.
• Take precautions while cleaning your property. You may be exposed to potential health risks from hazardous materials.

How to Help
The Red Cross is grateful for the generosity of the community and those looking to help those affected by the Valley Fire and El Dorado Fire; however, for the safety those being cared for and for the safety of volunteers, the Red Cross is currently unable to accept material donations of any kind. Due to increased safety measures for COVID-19, storing, sorting, cleaning and distributing donated items could be especially dangerous. Due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of home-cooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.

The first priority for the Red Cross is to provide shelter and support to those affected, and financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those who need it most. Financial donations to the Red Cross help provide shelter, meals, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance during disasters like the Valley Fire or El Dorado Fire and other emergencies. Donate at redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Please follow @SoCal_RedCross on Twitter for the latest updates. Visit redcross.org/wildfire for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires.

About the American Red Cross Southern California Region  
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 public to perform its mission. The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international services programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and YouTube. 

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