The year has barely begun, and already there are fellow Americans facing devastation from a natural disaster. The six wildfires burning across swaths of California have destroyed homes and businesses, and wiped out support services such as medical centers, schools and churches.
According to Jan. 10 statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protections, or CALFIRE, more than 29,000 acres have been consumed by the six wildfires burning since Jan. 7 — the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed the most homes and acreage, plus the Hurst, Lidia and Sunset fires.
Whether you’ve been following the disaster on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Reels, X or more traditional outlets such as cable news, there’s no doubt that there are people in need in California.
If you are moved to help, here’s where your aid will make the most impact.
Where to donate
The Salvation Army — Heather MacFarlan, director of communications, marketing and public relations for the Massachusetts Divisional headquarters of the Salvation Army told Reminder Publishing that “The Salvation Army’s Southern California Division is able to provide assistance through water, food and emergency supplies and will be there to help victims of the fires in the months and years that it takes them to recover.”
The best way that local individuals can aid in this mission, according to MacFarlan, is “by giving financially because it allows flexibility to direct funds where they are needed the most. In times of disaster, 100% of donations given to an emergency response go back to that disaster response.”
To donate to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts in California, visit socal.salvationarmy.org/southern-california/california-wildfires/ Here you can donate online or send a check to a central relief effort address. Individuals can also direct aid to a specific wildfire area or give to the general wildfire relief fund.
MacFarlan added that if individuals in Western Mass. have family and friends who have been impacted by the destruction, and feel the need for emotional and spiritual support, local Salvation Army outposts stand ready to provide that help.
World Central Kitchen — According to the WCK website, the nonprofit organization founded by chef Jose Andres is providing water and sandwiches to first responders and hot food to families in shelters in the hard-hit greater Los Angeles area. According to a Jan.10 WCK estimate the Palisades, Hurst and Eaton fires have displaced over 30,000 residents, more than 200,000 people in the area are without power, and the drinking water in Palisades has been declared unfit to drink.
To support their work in the southern California wildfire, visit tinyurl.com/bdettnyk
Donations are accepted by credit or debit card, check, PayPal, Venmo, cryptocurrency and more. For updates, follow World Central Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram or X.
The American Red Cross — The Red Cross has established emergency shelters throughout the fire-impacted areas of California, stating on their national website that “with tens of thousands of people forced from their homes, the Red Cross is working alongside our partners to provide safe shelter, food, emotional support and health services. Over the coming days, the Red Cross will coordinate with local officials and community partners to make sure people have the support they need during this challenging time.”
To make a donation to assist the Red Cross in its relief efforts, visit redcross.org, tinyurl.com/bde8d4hs, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
California Fire Foundation — the California Fire Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, aids firefighters and their communities by working with local agencies to provide direct financial support to residents as details of the damage become available. Aid is provided through the CFF Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund.
To make a tax-deductible donation, visit cpf.salsalabs.org/disasterrelief/index.
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) — Launched in 2010 in response to the earthquake in Haiti, CORE is a global humanitarian organization that now works with local community organizations to provide short and long-term aid in the wake of natural disasters, focusing on the needs of underserved communities.
Their website states that “CORE is deploying an emergency response team to support those near the fires, where air quality is a major concern. With our headquarters in Los Angeles, CORE actively serves residents living in many of the impacted areas through our climate resilience and public health programs. As smoke continues to engulf the county, we are prepared to distribute masks, go-kits, hygiene kits, and other protective and educational resources to ensure their health and safety both now and in preparation for future emergencies.
For more info or to donate to CORE’s work in the wildfires, visit coreresponse.org/southern-california-wildfires/.
GoFundMe Wildfire Relief Fund — GoFundMe has centralized all California wildfire fundraisers into one relief fund to assist people affected by the Pacific Palisades, Hurst and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The link states “With your help, we can send emergency grants directly to people impacted by these wildfires, helping them get food, temporary shelter, and other essential supplies.”
As of Jan. 10, the fund had received 1,400 donations for a total of $105,340.
To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/wildfire-relief-fund-2025.
