Safe, Shocked, Grateful: How to Help

Los Angeles fires and HOW TO HELP

The sun did rise this morning right over the house across the street from me, but the light was dim and weird and couldn’t filter through and illuminate the tree with yellow yellow leaves in my front yard, a tree whose leaves yesterday still clung to branches in sunshine-glory but now stands winter stripped, the leaves scattered all over the yard and in the street, blown there by the ferocious winds that have rocked our city, our beloved and gloriously beautiful Los Angeles. I can’t properly express how shocked and sad we are by these apocalyptic fires and the destruction of our communities. I’ve lived here for 27 years, have seen (from afar) plenty of fires consume parts of southern California, have breathed in smoky air and brushed my fingers on the ash that makes its way on wind, settling on plants, on cars, the pathways and sidewalks of our community, but never have I experienced or seen what began yesterday morning and continues today. It was and is terrifying.We are safe, but many friends, acquaintances, and students I know have lost their homes, lost their businesses, been displaced. Our hearts are broken. Already, though, the signs of community, of true community and care and love have emerged. I am grateful for so much and ready to help where needed.

Here are some resources and places that could use your help. I will add to this list regularly, so please share and check back!

For Evacuation and Shelter Info: Dial 2-1-1

Stay alerted through Calalerts.org

Donate to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999

Give to wildfire relief through calfund.org/wildfire-relief

To help displaced pets, check local animal shelters

Donate to the Dream Center, an L.A.-based charitable organization that’s offering emergency shelter to those evacuated in the Palisades and Eaton Canyon Fires.

Donate to Friends in Deed, a nonprofit providing services for the homeless, as it opens its Bad Weather Shelter amid the fires.

The California Fire Foundation provides resources to firefighters, fallen firefighters, their families and the communities they serve.

Donate to Direct Relief’s California Fire Relief, which provides N-95 masks, medicine, and resources to health-care agencies and first responders in areas affected by wildfires.

The California Community Fund has a recovery fund dedicated to helping victims of wildfires. You can donate here.

Donate to the Wildfire Relief Fund at the American Red Cross.

If you’re located in the Los Angeles area and can offer temporary foster care to dogs displaced by the wildfires, sign up at the Canine Rescue Club.

Mutual Aid LA's Network (MALAN)- Fire & Wind Storm Resources : Available Resources Google Sheet to support the cause- tiny.cc/malan-fire

H.O.D.G (Hang out do good): hangoutdogood.com (my neighborhood's kick-ass organization that does all kinds of things. They have a Wildfire Help List on their website where you can offer help or receive help