How to help Californians as wildfires ravage the state
In addition to the pandemic, Californians have another looming threat: wildfires. Over 500 fires are ravaging the state, according to Governor Gavin Newsom, and while some experts say this is California's "new normal," that doesn't mean it's any less devastating.
What's more is that the wildfires demonstrate what experts have been warning: That climate change — just like coronavirus and any other disaster — will hurt marginalized people the most. While the rich can escape danger in their private planes (as the Kardashian-Wests did in 2018), farmworkers labor admidst the smoke and risk their lives in the process:
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
That, coupled with coronavirus, has led to a decidedly dystopian set of instructions from the Red Cross:
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
How can those witnessing these horrors help wildfire victims in California? Charity Navigator recommends donating to trusted organizations on the ground, and provided a dozen on their site.
Here's another list of organizations directing funds to victims, firefighters, and more:
The American Red Cross is accepting donations as well as volunteer applications (specific Red Cross chapters across California redirect to the main Red Cross donation page).
Food banks across California are accepting donations.
United Way of Northern California is accepting donations and volunteer applications.
California Fire Foundation is accepting donations to help firefighters and their families.
California Community Foundation is accepting donations, and you can specify Northern or Southern California.
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is accepting donations that go towards medium and longterm recovery.
GoFundMe has started its own wildfire relief fund, and it's almost halfway through its $20,000 goal
If you yourself may be in danger of the wildfires, the Red Cross offers safety tips and steps on how to get immediate help.
Topics Social Good
Anna Iovine is the associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on Bluesky.
