Some ways you can help the California fire victims

Google Crisis Map 

California’s Wine Country is in a state of emergency as more than a dozen wildfires burn through large swaths of land in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Yuba counties. The fires have destroyed at least 3,500 homes, caused at least 30 fatalities, and forced an estimated 25,000+ residents to evacuate, with that number expected to rise. 8000 firefighters are involved in the fight, some from as far away as Australia.



I look at the newspapers and online posts each day with horror. I followed and am helping victims of the hurricanes in the past weeks since Harvey, Irma and Maria wreaked such devastation, and now fire in Napa and Sonoma. There isn't much I can do from where I am in Ireland, but if I can help direct people to things they can do, then I will try. Essentially, you can donate money, supplies, or time. Here's where.

The Atlas Fire burns east of Wooden Valley Road in Napa County, California.STUART PALLEY

Some things you can do for the Calfornia Wine Country today.

If you’re local, Google is maintaining a Crisis Map with open shelters and other resources listed. The Sonoma Valley Visitor’s Bureau has a list of hotels offering special rates for evacuees and the Sacramento Bee has a list of ways for local people to help. The Bay Area NBC affiliate is maintaining an up-to-date listing of things people can do to help. Here are a few specifics.

1. Donate to the Red Cross

The  Northern California Red Cross, which helps distribute disaster relief aid, has set up a special service for disaster management and relief in the wake of the fires. In addition to online donations, you can call 1-800 RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also volunteer for service and they will deploy volunteers where needed. More than 5000 people have volunteered in the first 48 hours.

2. Open your home to displaced people

Many thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes, thousands already have no home to return to. Airbnb has launched its Open Homes program for those seeking shelter free-of-charge at a residence outside of but near the affected area. The company is also looking for those willing to volunteer space at their own unaffiliated home for evacuees. If you have a room to spare, please contact Airbnb who will coordinate emergency shelter for those displaced by Wine Country fires.

3. Donate clothing

Most people left their homes with just the clothes on their backs. There is a need for clothing as people remain in shelters for prolonged periods. San Francisco store Love on Haight is giving away free clothes to fire victims. If you are looking for an easy place to donate, they have set up several collection points in the city. They need volunteers..."In SF...feel like helping...we need people to help sort clothes...donating clothes? bring them sorted...it is always more awesome!"

Many of the volunteer organizations are inundated with clothing and need money to purchase other supplies.

4. Donate money

There are many relief organizations setting up fund raising. Two reputable regional groups that assist victims of the disaster are:

• Donate to the Northern California Red Cross 
• Donate to United Way of the Wine Country.

GoFundMe has put together a centralized location for all the fundraising campaigns supporting relief efforts here.

• Jake Kloberdanz, a local winery owner, started a GoFundMe campaign specifically to raise money for fire and rescue organizations to help fight the blazes.

The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund is collecting cash donations here. The City of Santa Rosa set up a YouCaring page to assist Tubbs Fire Victims. Bay Area sports teams, including the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors, pledged $450,000 on a YouCaring page and have invited fans to contribute to #BayAreaUnite for California Fire Relief.

5. Donate food and supplies

To donate to food pantries visit these pages: 

• Food pantries of Napa County
• Food pantries of Yuba County
• Food pantries of Sonoma County

6. Donate pet supplies

Petaluma officials have posted on social media asking people to donate supplies, including baby food, pet food, water, blankets, and toilet paper, to evacuation centers (NBC Bay Area has a full list of  drop-off locations and reputable charity drives).

You may also donate to local animal shelters, which are helping people keep their pets safe.

• Humane Society of Sonoma County: sonomahumane.org, 
• Humane Society of Napa County: napahumane.org, 
• Yuba-Sutter SPCA: yubasutterspca.org.

7. Volunteer to help at shelters

The Bay Area NBC affiliate is maintaining an up-to-date listing of things people can do to help, including information about how to find out where volunteers are needed. 

Those who want to volunteer should sign up and update a volunteer profile here with the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, or visit the Northern California Red Cross page here.

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