Northern California is burning up. 160,000 acres and counting are currently ablaze because of 17 different wildfires. The North Bay fires are currently affecting four different counties in Northern California. Over 20,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes and more than 3,500 structures have been destroyed. At least 5,000 people have taken shelter in local facilities. There have been at least 31 deaths, and many fear that number will continue to grow as time passes.
Fire crews are working overtime with limited resources to rescue trapped residents. They’re up against dry air and dangerous winds that are fueling the fires, many of which are barely contained. The smoke from these fires can be smelled up to 150 miles away.
One can only imagine what the scene looks like. Many CU students call this area home, and it’s devastating to see how it’s impacting many of our classmates and friends. People have lost their homes, their belongings, and even their loved ones. It’s heartbreaking to say the least.
For something that feels so overwhelming, we often wonder how we can even begin to help the people who are suffering due to the wildfires. There’s so many different problems that Californians have been dealt. People need places to stay, food to eat, and their whole lives to rebuild.
Maybe you’re thinking that you would help volunteer if you were there, or maybe you feel like there’s nothing you personally could do to help. That’s where you’re wrong! There’s so much that we all can do to help the victims of these fires. Below are a compilation of links of place that are seeking donations, supplies, or volunteers.
There’s a GoFundMe for California Fire Relief which you can find here:
https://www.gofundme.com/raise-funds/CAfirerelief
Food pantries in Napa County, Sonoma County, and Yuba County are accepting donations. You can find their respective websites here:
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http://sonoma.networkofcare.org/mh/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=BD-1800.2000
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http://sutter.networkofcare.org/mh/services/subcategory.aspx?tax=BD-1800.2000
The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to help displaced evacuees. You can sign up to help volunteer here:
The Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch is accepting donations as well. Due to the fires many animals had to be left behind or were abandoned. Donate here to help out:
http://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org/donations-home
You can also donate to the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund. This is a community run public charity that is looking for donations to help support those who were displaced in Napa Valley because of the fires. You can find them here:
http://www.napavalleycf.org/fire-donation-page/
It’s impossible to imagine what California is going through right now. Hopefully the links can be helpful in spreading information about how we can all help in such distressing times.