ca-fires
Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network

How to help in the face of fire

For the second year in a row, California is experiencing unprecedented devastation and loss brought about by fires, ripping through communities in both the northern and southern regions of the state.

However, in the midst of destruction and hardship, people have been stepping up for each other in inspiring ways. Numerous online donation platforms have been set up, businesses and organizations are collecting food, clothing and other material donations, and helping hands are coming from many directions.

Rebuilding and healing will be a long and challenging process — especially under the continued threat of climate change-related drought and fire. And more help is needed. The following organizations and funds are directly assisting those whose lives have been drastically altered by these events — including agricultural communities.

Farmers and farmworkers face a particularly dire situation during disasters like these, with many losing their homes as well as their land, crops, animals and source of incomes. And many California farmworkers are facing health impacts as they have continued to work during the fires despite horrific air quality, in fear of otherwise losing their jobs.

We hope you’ll consider helping out however you are able.

Northern California – Camp Fire in Butte County

The North Valley Community Foundation is a trusted local philanthropy that funds local nonprofit organizations and has expertise in knowing where the greatest need is and who can address it in the community.

The North Valley Animal Disaster Group is working for the safety and wellbeing of all domestic animals, farm animals and wildlife affected by the fire with emergency shelter, evacuation, medical care, identification for reuniting animals with their owners or adopting into good, suitable permanent homes.

The Wildcats Rise Recovery Fund was created for the California State University at Chico community, where many students and others in the community are now homeless.

Southern California Fires

The 805 UndocuFund supports undocumented farmworkers and families who have been economically impacted by the fires but are excluded from many relief programs.

The Ventura County Community Fund is a well-regarded fund for services in much of the area that was hardest hit by the Woolsey and Hill fires, as well as the Thousand Oaks shooting.

The California Community Foundations Wildfire Relief Fund opened in 2003 and has raised more than $5 million for relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the wildfires. The organization helps those who have lost their homes to wildfires to rebuild, while providing financial, medical, and mental health assistance.

Thank you for supporting people impacted by these recent disasters in whatever way you can.

Photo: mbtrama | Flickr

Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network

Pesticide Action Network is dedicated to advancing alternatives to pesticides worldwide. Follow @pesticideaction

Share this post