How Texans Can Help Victims Of The West Coast Fires

AUSTIN, TX — As wildfires continue to rage across regions in California, Washington and Oregon, with millions of acres destroyed, several dozen residents missing, and the death toll reaching 35, crews across states continue battling the West Coast fires to contain or slow the destruction.

Aid organizations throughout the country have ramped up efforts to offer immediate assistance to the communities impacted by the wildfires, with teams dispatched to locations where food, shelter, medical care, and recovery are in dire need. The following organizations have created response efforts to assist individuals and families affected by the destruction, and those looking to help may click on any of the links below to find out more about how to lend support.

The American Red Cross Wildfire Relief: Providing shelter and comfort to those in need in wild-fire affected communities across Northern California. For a list of open shelters across the region click HERE. For a list of ways to donate, click HERE.

The American Red Cross Northwest Region: Providing relief efforts to wild-fire affected communities in the Washington area.

Whitman County Fire Community Relief Fund (United Way): This emergency fund will help those impacted by this disaster. Although this is a developing situation, funding will be prioritized supporting the families and individuals displaced by the fires.

United Way of Northern California | Wildfire Recovery & Disaster Relief: United Way of Northern California is accepting donations, offering help and supporting programs to assist with relief and long-term recovery operations.

Mid-Valley Wildfire Relief Fund (Oregon): The fund provides cash donations to area residents displaced by the disaster in need of relief and support and access to basic necessities.

The California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) Program: Through the SAVE Program, front line firefighters in California provide gift cards, in the amount of $250, to eligible victims of fire or other natural disasters so they may purchase basic necessities such as food, clothing or medicine.

Wildfire Relief Fund: With donations made to this fundraiser, GoFundMe.org, the nonprofit and charitable arm of GoFundMe, will issue grants to individuals, organizations, and communities that have either been impacted themselves or are dedicated to helping those affected by wildfires.

GoFundMe has launched a centralized hub identifying all verified fundraisers created to help residents who have lost their homes and have been displaced by the fires. The centralized hub will be updated on a regular basis with new fundraisers that have been verified by our Trust & Safety team:

California wildfires hub

Northern California fires

Southern California fires

Central California fires

Oregon fires

Washington fires

All US fires hub

Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) Wildfire Recovery Fund: The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) California Wildfires Recovery Fund supports communities across the state as they work to rebuild and recover from wildfires. Since its inception, CDP has awarded more than $3 million in grants to nonprofits and community groups in northern and southern California to help families and entire communities recover through targeted grantmaking that prioritizes medium- to long-term recovery especially among vulnerable populations.

California Association of Food Banks: Provides a list of regions accepting monetary donations to supply food relief to those impacted by the wildfires.

Oregon Business & Industry (OBI) Wildfire Relief Fund: The Oregon Business Council, the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Business & Industry are joining together to raise funds to support Oregonians who have been displaced by this tragedy. We will work with local chambers in the impacted areas to determine where funds can be used to have the greatest community impact.