At the time of writing, at least five wildfires are spreading across Los Angeles and Southern California, entering a fourth day of destruction through the area. 10 lives have been taken, and almost 180,000 people have been under evacuation orders after entire neighbourhoods and rows of houses were wiped out.
It is thought that around 10,000 buildings have been burned during the wildfiresand according to PowerOutage.US, more than 271,000 home and businesses are without power in California. Emergency shelters have been set up to provide relief across the city, with thousands of people in need having had their livelihoods ripped away from them in a mere instant.
There have been five main fires identified across the region since the first call was made to emergency services on Tuesday (January 7). The largest is the Palisadeswhich according to Sky News at the time of writing, has covered , almost 20,000 acres and is 6% contained. Eaton is thought to have covered 13,690 acres with 0% contained. Hurst (771 acres, 37% contained), Lidia (394 acres, 75% contained), and Kenneth (960 acres, 37% contained) are also continuing to cause damage, and firefighters are battling against the widespread destruction across the area.
US President Joe Biden has said that the cost of the wildfire response will be covered by the US for the next 180 days.
How can I help from the UK?
Obviously, we’re very far away from where the disaster is taking place, but if the written and visual coverage from the LA wildfires has affected you, and you wish to help out – there are ways you can do so. Sharing information is key. It’s tough to comprehend everything taking place during a disaster so widespread as this, but keeping others informed as to the scale of this tragedy and sharing online can lead to more people helping and donating (see info below) to those in need.
As people in LA and Southern California seek relief and firefighters continue tackling the fires, here are some places you can donate to help out from the UK.
Donation points to help during the LA Wildfires
Local GoFundMe pages
GoFundMe has compiled a list of campaigns you can donate to to help those affected by the fires. You can donate to the Wildfire relief fund here, which has currently received over $600,000 of a $1million target, or go through a list of pages here to donate to families and firefighters.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The LA Regional Foodbank is working with non-profit organisations to respond to the fires, and you can find out more or donate here.
Baby2Baby
A vital non-profit organisation is working to provide infants with items including nappies, food, formula and more for them and their families affected by the fires. Donate directly here.
Los Angeles Fire Department
Donate directly to those at the forefront of the disaster who are fighting to tackle and put out the fires amid the destruction.
Animal Wellness Foundation
You can donate to the Animal Wellness Foundation’s cause via Paypal here. They are helping to house and feed pets that have lost their owners during the fires.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen is helping in Southern California by giving out sandwiches and water to those in the affected areas. Donare directly here.
American Red Cross
Donate here to support the Red Cross’s efforts in supporting those escaping the fires.
Friends In Deed
Doante to this non-profit, which provides help to the homeless and has opened its bad weather shelter for the victims of the fires, here.
Secret London extends its wishes to anyone affected by the fires in LA and Southern California.
