The American Red Cross is helping those affected by the massive and widespread fires out west which have forced thousands to flee their homes.
Dozens of historic deadly wildfires continue to consume millions of acres in the west, especially in California, Oregon and Washington where in some cases entire towns have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. The American Red Cross is there to help those affected by these massive and widespread fires.
Most evacuees have had to leave quickly with little advance notice, taking what few belongings they could. Thousands of homes and businesses have been incinerated. Weather conditions are improving, but the fire danger isn’t over. Wildfires are also burning in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.
https://www.redcross.org/
EVACUATE It’s critical that those in the path of wildfires listen to the advice of local authorities and evacuate immediately if asked to do so. Follow CDC guidelines around social distancing and wear a face covering to ensure that your evacuation is as safe as possible.
To find a safe place to stay, listen to local officials for evacuation guidance including the nearest temporary evacuation point. You can also visit redcross.org or view open shelters through the Red Cross Emergency app. If you don’t have access to a computer or smart phone, try calling 211, if this service is available in your area, or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Due to COVID-19, the Red Cross is unable to welcome pets into our shelters for everyone’s safety; we are working with partners to establish co-located pet shelters. If you are evacuating with pets, please consider visiting RedRover.org/WesternFires to view their resource list of pet-friendly evacuation shelters and tips.
https://www.redcross.org/
RELIEF RESPONSE The Red Cross is working with our partners and local officials to make sure people have a safe place to stay and comfort in the days ahead. Thursday night, the Red Cross and partners provided more than 6,300 people with safe refuge from the wildfires in emergency lodgings, including shelters and, in some cases, hotels. Many people are choosing to camp or stay in RVs, and the Red Cross stands ready to support them if needed.
More than 1,000 Red Cross disaster workers are helping evacuees cope, both on the ground and virtually, including supporting temporary evacuation points, which are sites dedicated to directing evacuees to the best sheltering option for their individual needs.
After a disaster, it’s critical for loved ones to reconnect. The Red Cross has two easy ways to help people connect with family and friends. Red Cross mobile apps feature an “I’m Safe” button that helps users post a message to their social accounts, letting loved ones know they are out of harm’s way. The Red Cross also offers the Safe and Well website, which is a secure and easy-to-use online tool accessible through redcross.org
https://www.redcross.org/
YOU CAN HELP by making a donation, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer.
Help people affected by the western wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting the words WILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.
Want to help people specifically affected by the California, Oregon or Washington wildfires? Write “California Wildfires,” “Oregon Wildfires” or “Washington Wildfires” in the memo line of a check and mail it to your local Red Cross chapter with the completed donation form. For California Wildfires you can also text the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation,
If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday. More information is available here.
Photos courtesy of Unsplash
