HONOLULU, HI – August 3, 2018: More than 130 wildfires are burning across the country, the largest impacting thousands of people out west. In California alone, three fires have charred more than 278,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.

Two Hawaii Red Cross workers are deploying to assist with the Red Cross response to the California wildfires. One is from Kauai and will be assisting with Public Affairs and the other is from the Big Island and will be assisting with Disability Integration.

The fires have forced mandatory evacuations of thousands of people in California. The American Red Cross is there, providing shelter, relief supplies and comfort for those affected. Red Cross caseworkers are continuing to meet with affected residents to connect them with available resources, while trained health and mental health workers are also providing support and referrals to thousands. As evacuation orders are lifted in some areas and people return home, the Red Cross will continue working closely with state and local officials to ensure people get the help they need.

STAY IN TOUCH People can reconnect with loved ones through both the Red Cross Safe and Well website at redcross.org/safeandwell and by using the “I’m Safe” feature of the Red Cross Emergency App. The Safe and Well site 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, 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.

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 including shelter locations and 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.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crisis by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Visit redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. To send a contribution, mail your check to:

American Red Cross of Hawaii

4155 Diamond Head Road

Honolulu, HI 96816

Make a secure online donation at redcross.org/hawaii or call: (808) 739-8109.