Contact Info:
Rebecca Marshall, Regional Communications Director
Red Cross Cascades
(503) 307-2060 | rebecca.marshall2@redcross.org

Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager
Red Cross Cascades
(206) 640-5388 | isabel.anderson@redcross.org

[PORTLAND, OR January 9, 2025]

We understand the power of wildfires and have seen the devastation they can bring. We are ready to offer support to the thousands of people affected by this devastation in the Los Angeles area. Currently, we have people on standby waiting for the call and some are already on their way to Los Angeles.

BACKGROUND: Overnight, the Red Cross in southern California staffed seven shelters with over a thousand people inside and many more coming in throughout the day for food, information, health and emotional support.

Since the fires began, we’ve provided close to five thousand overnight stays in the LA region.

Over the coming days, we will coordinate with local officials and community partners to make sure people have the help they need during this challenging time and we will remain there as long as needed.

Sadly, extreme weather events are becoming more familiar.  In 2024, extreme weather took an overwhelming toll on tens of thousands of Americans forced to cope with 24 different billion-dollar disasters — the second-highest number ever recorded. In fact, these large climate-related disasters are occurring so often that the American Red Cross is now responding nonstop on a massive scale.

Our hearts go out to all the people affected by the raging wildfires in southern California, including members of our own Red Cross teams who’ve lost homes or parts of their community because of these fires.

The best way to support our work right now is by making a financial contribution. Please go to RedCross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

We also remind people to download the Red Cross Emergency App to learn how you can prepare for, respond to, and recover from wildfires like these.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Oregon or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCasc.