According to the state-run site Cal Fire, there are five active wildfires, including the now-contained Sunset Fire which burned dangerously close to the heavily populated and iconic areas of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
According to reports, tens of thousands of acres of land have been scorched to the ground, with more than 2,000 homes, businesses, and houses of worship destroyed down to their foundations.
The fires — rare for this time of year — raged out of control mostly due to gusting hurricane-force winds which blew embers for miles, igniting new fires which quickly leaped from building to building. Though the winds have died down, Los Angeles is under a red flag warning with the probability of high winds returning tonight and tomorrow.
Although we’ve seen reports of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Tom Hanks losing their homes, with a population of nearly 10 million people, Los Angeles County is home to millions of regular people who will have no jobs or even homes to go to.
Making an appearance on the Tonight Show last evening, Jamie Lee Curtis (who personally donated $1 to relief efforts), fought back tears as she said her entire neighborhood was destroyed by fire. She pleaded with the public to donate to the American Red Cross and to assemble an emergency evacuation kit filled with papers and medications should you need to escape your home at a moment’s notice for any reason.
If you want to donate to the American Red Cross or other relief efforts, here’s a list of places to start. This is not a complete list, so if you have a favorite organization, please share it in the comments below or send us a note and we’ll update this list.
American Red Cross provides shelter for families, serves meals, supports emergency responders, provides medical care, and delivers emergency relief supplies.
World Central Kitchen provides food to evacuated families and first responders.
Los Angeles Noah’s Legacy Fund provides care for animals affected by the wildfires.
Baby2Baby provides diapers, food, formula, and hygiene items to families
California Community Foundation provides funding to nonprofits aiding fire recovery and rebuilding.
California Fire Foundation provides immediate financial assistance to wildfire victims.
Direct Relief delivers medical supplies and financial aid to health facilities across Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides critical equipment, technology, and emergency resources to support LAFD crews.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to people affected by the wildfires.
Pasadena Humane is rescuing, sheltering, and reuniting pets with their owners.
United Way of Ventura County provides immediate financial relief to communities affected by the Palisades Fire.
Canine Rescue Club provides shelter for displaced pets.
Los Angeles Pet Food Pantry provides food for pets through its pet food pantry.
Gobble Gobble Give provides food and shelter for Los Angeles’ homeless.
Habitat for Humanity provides assistance in rebuilding homes.
For updates on the situation in Los Angeles County, visit LAFD.org.
