Media Contact:
Christine Welch, Communications Director
Email: christine.welch@redcross.org
Phone: 909-374-0376
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — October 27, 2020 — The American Red Cross Southern California Region has mobilized its disaster workers to provide assistance to those affected by the Silverado Fire and Blue Ridge Fire. Last night, on the evening of Monday, October 26, the Red Cross provided safe shelter and meals for 182 people affected by the fires.
In response to the Silverado Fire, the Red Cross is working with local cities within Orange County to support each city’s relief efforts and provide emergency hotel lodging for those in need. Those in or near evacuation areas are encouraged to visit their city’s official website or social media channels for the latest information on Temporary Evacuation Centers in their area.
In response to the Blue Ridge Fire, the Red Cross is operating a Temporary Evacuation Point at Chino Hills Community Center, located at 14250 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills, CA 91709. At this location, volunteers are providing food and snacks, hydration, lodging options and more. All volunteers are following safety protocols and providing services while maintaining social distancing.
Evacuees with large animals may take them to the McCoy Equestrian & Recreation Center at 14280 Peyton Drive, which is supported by the Inland Valley Humane Society and SPCA.
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 ongoing relief efforts. Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call round-the-clock and ready to assist in various aspects including sheltering, emergency lodging, feeding, disaster assessment, casework, and more.
Before a Wildfire
How to Help
DONATE: 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 Silverado Fire, Blue Ridge Fire and other emergencies. Help people affected by the western wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting the word WILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
VOLUNTEER: If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday. In the midst of this extremely active wildfire season, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers are helping the thousands of people affected by the wildfires. With the current disasters and the complexities of COVID-19, more help is needed now. Become a Red Cross volunteer today.
STAY INFORMED: 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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