As a California resident, you’ve probably grown somewhat accustomed to the fear, horror, and destruction of wildfires. Over the years, I’ve been evacuated from my own home five times due to the threat of wildfires.
Nevertheless, each year seems to break all the old records, causing ever-greater heart break and loss.
Last year (2017) seemed nearly unimaginable, breaking all previous records. Almost 9,000 wildfires burned throughout the state, including here in San Diego, scorching 1.2 million acres of land, destroying almost 11,000 structures (including homes), and killing 46 people.
1.2 million acres is one of those numbers that’s hard for our minds to comprehend. For reference, that’s the equivalent of the entire state of Delaware going up in smoke.
Something else that’s hard for our minds to comprehend: the gut-wrenching agony of losing a family member, friend, pet, or home to a wildfire. Or an entire town that many called home.
Yet this is the reality that more and more of our fellow Californians have to confront each year.
2018: A New Record For California Wildfires
As of this morning, CBS News is reporting that the two largest wildfires in the state – the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire – have caused unimaginable damage.
Camp Fire in Northern California (north of the state capital of Sacramento) and the Woolsey Fire (outside Los Angeles). Image from CBS News report.
Camp Fire (in Butte County):
- 140,000 acres burned
- 56 confirmed deaths (more than all the wildfire deaths in 2017 in the entire state)
- 10,321 structures destroyed (including homes)
Woolsey Fire (in Los Angeles and Ventura County):
- 98,362 acres burned
- 3 deaths
- 435 structures destroyed, 57,000 in danger
How to help victims of the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire
Do you have friends or family members directly impacted by the Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire? If so, please help them any way you can.
If not, please remember that those effected are our neighbors and fellow Californians. Many have lost everything, and they need our help.
What can you do to help?
The North Valley Community Foundation and the American Red Cross are suggesting that people donate money directly to aid organizations, rather than giving specific items that may or may not be needed. That way, organizers on the ground can help victims get exactly what they need, when and where they need it.
One organization that we’d like to specifically single out for help is the International Association of Fire Fighters (donate here). The IAFF is a 100-year-old organization that uses your donations to help firefighters who are working on the front lines (and their families), ranging from financial to emotional support.
So please use the links above to give what you can, as soon as you can. Our neighbors need your help, and so do the brave firefighters who are putting their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.
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