Media Contact:

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

ORANGE COUNTY AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY — December 3, 2020 — In response to the Bond Fire in Orange County and Cerritos Fire in Riverside County, the American Red Cross Southern California Region mobilized its disaster workers to provide assistance to those affected. The Red Cross has opened a Temporary Evacuation Point at El Modena High School (3920 E Spring St., Orange, CA 92869) to assist those impacted by the Bond Fire. On Thursday night, December 3, the Red Cross is helping 170 individuals who needed shelter by providing hotel rooms nearby.

The previous Bond Fire Temporary Evacuation Point at Santiago Canyon College – Lot 2 was relocated to El Modena High School. OC Animal Care is available to house dogs, cats and small pets for Orange County residents relocated as a result of the Bond Fire evacuations.The shelter is located at 1630 Victory Rd. Tustin, CA 92782. Large animal owners under an evacuation order (mandatory) can take their animals to the OC Fair and Events Center or the Anaheim Equestrian Center.

Those seeking Red Cross assistance from the Cerritos Fire can call 571-595-7774 for support. Large and small animal evacuations can be taken to San Jacinto Valley Animal Shelter, 581 S Grand Avenue, San Jacinto, CA 92582.

The Red Cross sets up Temporary Evacuation Points as a rest site for those affected by disasters to assess their needs and present lodging options. Volunteers provide snacks, water and COVID-19 safety resources, all while following DPH and CDC COVID-19 safety protocols. Red Cross volunteers are maintaining social distancing, sanitizing routines and health checks.

The provision of life-sustaining sheltering and feeding in wildfires and other disasters is a mission focus for the Red Cross, and during COVID-19 we have adjusted our planning to make sure we can safely deliver those essential services.

The local Red Cross is dedicated to helping those affected by these devastating fires with the help of partners and volunteers. We are working closely with local emergency management and our partners to coordinate relief efforts. Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call around-the-clock and stand ready to assist in various aspects including sheltering, emergency lodging, feeding, disaster assessment, casework, and more.

Before a Wildfire

• Be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• Back your car into the garage or park it outside in the direction of your evacuation route.
• Confine pets to one room so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
• Listen to local radio and television stations for updated emergency information including your safest escape route.
• Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications and medical supplies. Make sure you include a mask and hand sanitizer with your kit. Keep it in the car.
• Don’t wait – evacuate: if you feel threatened or unsafe, you can choose to evacuate at any time. If you receive an official evacuation order, please heed the orders of local authorities and follow all instructions.
  

How to Help

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 Bond Fire, Cerritos Fire and other emergencies.

Help people affected by wildfires and other emergencies by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Red Cross is grateful for the generosity of the community and those looking to help those affected by the Bond Fire and Cerritos Fire; and financial donations are the quickest and best way to get help to those who need it most. Due to health code regulations, the Red Cross cannot accept donations of home-cooked meals or food items not prepared in a commercial kitchen.

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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