Kaiser Permanente Provides Recovery Relief From Mosquito Fire

Kaiser Permanente is providing a $50,000 donation to the Placer Community Foundation (PCF) to support residents impacted by the Mosquito Fire, which destroyed more than 78 structures and forced thousands to evacuate their homes in Placer County and western El Dorado County. A portion of the money also will support future community needs through a fire relief fund.

The Mosquito Fire erupted in early September and destroyed more than 76,000 acres of land in Placer and El Dorado counties over the course of a month and a half, according to the California Department of Forestry. The Mosquito Fire became California’s largest wildfire in 2022, with more than 11,000 people under evacuation orders during the first week alone.

Throughout the course of the fire, PCF supported families whose homes were located within the mandatory evacuation zones. Over the course of 11 days when many residents were evacuated, PCF helped residents by paying for their basic living expenses including clothes, food, gas, and hotel expenses.

PCF also supported other relief efforts including supporting evacuees at a local emergency shelter and helping other organizations that provided wrap-around services to families in need, including mental health resources and other financial assistance.

Recognizing many may still be recovering from this devastating wildfire, Kaiser Permanente wanted to provide further support to PCF.

“Our hearts go out to those who have been impacted by this fire and we recognize the physical and emotional toll wildfires can have on people’s lives,” said Kim Menzel, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Roseville. “Kaiser Permanente hopes this additional support will help those who are still struggling as they work to rebuild their lives.”

Officials with PCF said the donation will not only help those impacted from the Mosquito Fire but provide ongoing support for future wildfire disasters.

“Placer Community Foundation is grateful to partner with Kaiser Permanente to serve those affected by fires in Placer County,” said Veronica Blake, CEO of Placer Community Foundation. “We continue to address the needs of the greater Foresthill community in the aftermath of the Mosquito Fire and hope that we can be better prepared when the next fire inevitably strikes in our community.”

Kaiser Permanente has a long-standing commitment to the health of communities across the country, including during times of disaster, having supported relief and recovery efforts as well as mental health services for survivors of previous events, including the Paradise, Tubbs and other fires in Northern California, the Thomas Fire in Southern California, Hurricane Harvey in the southeast United States, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.