SOUTH CAROLINA, August 3, 2021– Disaster workers from the American Red Cross of South Carolina are deploying to support ongoing disaster relief efforts in California, where multiple wildfires rage, forcing people from their homes.
The number of volunteers deployed may change over the coming days, but currently, two volunteers from our Central Chapter are on-site supporting sheltering efforts in California. Six more volunteers (five from the Lowcountry Chapter and one from the Eastern Chapter) will deploy in-person and fly out Thursday morning—for a total of eight volunteers deployed to support California wildfire disaster relief from the South Carolina Region.
The Red Cross of South Carolina stands ready to send additional disaster-workers as requested.
The National Interagency Fire Center reports 82 large fires have consumed more than 1.6 million acres across 13 states. The Dixie Fire in California has burned more than 249,000 acres and is 35% contained. This fire has put more than 7,800 people under evacuation orders and threatens more than 10,700 structures.
Since fires began in June of this year, as many as 530 trained Red Cross disaster workers have answered the call to open or support shelters and evacuation centers in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon. Red Cross and partners have provided nearly 3,000 overnight shelter stays, and thousands more are camping after being forced from their homes. Campers are welcome to come to the shelters to get information, food, showers, or just to escape the smoke. In addition, the Red Cross has provided more than 21,000 meals and snacks and more than 2,800 contacts with clients.
HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters like wildfires and countless other crises by making a gift to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give: visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/SC or @RedCrossSC
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