Several fast moving wildfires are continuing to tear through Los Angeles where they have destroyed entire neighborhoods in what could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
The fires, which cover over 35,000 acres (over 14,000 hectares), have been responsible for at least 10 deaths so far and forced 180,000 people to evacuate. Fueled by dry conditions and extraordinarily strong wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph (160 km/h), the fires are further exacerbated by dry vegetation due to record low rainfall this winter in Southern California.
On top of that, the seasonal Santa Ana winds blowing towards the Pacific coast have not only caused the humidity to drop, creating drier conditions, but are also, quite literally, fanning the flames. These windy conditions have hindered firefighting efforts, and water supplies are beginning to run low – making these fires difficult to contain. A state of emergency has been declared in the area, with the U.S. federal government classifying the fires as a “major disaster” freeing up federal funds for recovery efforts.
Keep reading to learn more about how to help, including how to call on world leaders to take urgent climate action now since we know one thing for sure: extreme weather events – like these fires – and climate change are inextricably linked.
Support Organizations Aiding in Disaster Relief Efforts
1. Donate to Relief Organizations
Often, giving money directly is the quickest and best way to help those who need it most in an emergency of this scale.
- The Mutual Aid LA Network (MALAN), a hub for mutual aid resources across Los Angeles, has made a public Google spreadsheet available full of information about shelters, animal centers, where to source personal protective equipment (PPE), food, as well as volunteer opportunities and places to donate. The list is being continually updated, and you can donate directly to help the group distribute resources on the ground.
- Looking for ways to give to someone directly, right away? GoFundMe has created a centralized hub for all its pages related to the wildfires across Southern California, as well as a relief fund that will go to nonprofits and individuals seeking financial relief directly through GoFundMe fundraisers.
- The California Fire Foundation supports firefighters and their families by providing financial and emotional assistance. You can donate to help them in their work here.
- World Central Kitchen is also active in the region. The team is collaborating with local restaurants and food service providers to help get meals for emergency fire responders and anyone affected by the wildfires. Donate to help here.
- The Salvation Army is also accepting donations online to help provide emergency aid, shelter, food, and other support for first responders and wildfire victims across Southern California.
2. Support Local On-the-Ground Efforts
The LA community has shown incredible resilience already, with community members and businesses stepping up to support those who need it most.
- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is responding to the fires by mobilizing its network to feed people displaced by the fire. They are accepting food and cash donations, and have opportunities for people to volunteer if you are in the LA area.
- The nonprofit guide 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free, temporary housing for a week for people who have been displaced by the fires. You can apply for emergency support by filling out this form here. If you’re able to host, visit Airbnb’s page for more information on offering shelter to those in need (service fees waived and damage protection insurance included). Not in LA? You can donate directly to Airbnb's efforts to provide free, emergency housing from anywhere online here.
- The California-based organization Direct Relief supplies critical PPE including N-95 masks, medication, and other healthcare resources, for first responders and health providers during fire emergencies. Donate to support their efforts against the LA wildfires online here.
Learn and Understand
3. How Are Wildfires and Climate Change Linked?
More frequent and intense wildfires are becoming more common due to climate change. Rising global temperatures have led to drier conditions and droughts in many places, which means more days where fire outbreaks are likely, leading to longer fire seasons with larger and more severe impacts. In California, 10 of the largest wildfires have occurred in the last 20 years, with five of them happening in 2020 alone.
Longer and more severe fires lead to a greater loss of life, property, and livelihoods, and impact human health because winds can carry air pollution long distances.
4. Unravel the Links Between the Climate Crisis and Extreme Poverty
From heat waves to hurricanes, the impacts of the climate crisis disproportionately threaten the world’s poorest. Climate change causes extreme weather events beyond wildfires, including floods, droughts, and hurricanes. We’re experiencing a time where unpredictable weather extremes are becoming the norm, not an exception. These events destroy livelihoods, increase food insecurity, and displace people from their homes — all of which reverses progress in tackling poverty. And this is only the beginning.
Understand the link between the climate emergency and poverty better by taking this quiz.
Take Action
5. Call on World Leaders to End the Use of Fossil Fuels
To decrease extreme weather events like the wildfires in LA, we need to stop using fossil fuels — now. Fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change, and continuing to use them is destructive to entire ecosystems and economies.
You can take action here and help save our future by stopping fossil fuels.
6. Tell Rich Countries: We Need Climate Financing, Now
Extreme natural disasters are taking place around the world, devastating communities who in many cases have contributed the least to climate change. We need big, systemic changes to address the effects of the climate crisis fairly and equitably. That means we need urgent relief for the world’s poorest from countries that can afford to give it (and started the climate crisis in the first place).
Tell world leaders to deliver urgent climate relief by emailing now, and sign this petition to help unlock funding for climate-vulnerable countries.
7. Raise Awareness
If you can’t donate at this time but want to help, consider sharing this article with friends, family, or on your social media accounts — it could well end up in front of someone who is in a position to support the relief effort financially.