As has become a right of passage in the dry late summer months, Southern California is again dealing with multiple wildfires. As of today, Southern California is battling multiple fires — from San Bernardino to Orange and Riverside counties. Collectively, this round of fires has scorched some 100,000 acres. With every passing year, wildfires grow more frequent and intense, fueled by climate change, unpredictable weather patterns, and dense vegetation. The LA Times highlighted the significant fire risk posed by the arrival of hot Santa Ana winds, coupled with overgrown vegetation from the past two years. These conditions can lead to an especially dangerous fall season, as dry winds and thick brush create the perfect fuel for wildfires.. While fire crews do all they can to battle blazes, the people and communities caught in the flames’ path are left cleaning up the ashes.
In moments like these community resilience is critical – and goes beyond immediate response. It involves preparing, supporting, and rebuilding, long after the headlines have moved on. To that end, the California Community Foundation (CCF) is calling on Angelenos to support long-term recovery and resilience through CCF’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. The focus of CCF’s fund is on helping communities across the State with long-term recovery, focusing on reaching those communities who bear the greatest burdens in a climate disaster and often the most significant barriers to accessing recovery support. This complements more immediate relief aid and addresses needs long after the attention on a disaster has subsided. Since 2003, CCF’s Wildfire Recovery Fund has awarded over $32 million to impacted communities throughout California.
This fire season, we call on you to be part of that resilience. Your contributions will provide essential relief to those in need and help us fund long-term recovery efforts for the hardest-hit areas.
How Your Help Makes a Difference
Grants from the Wildfire Recovery Fund have supported those who were displaced or lost housing, belongings and employment, or suffered physical or mental health problems; helped to rebuild homes; provided case management services, basic needs assistance, mental health services and financial assistance; upgraded 2-1-1 phone and information system; assisted California wildfire victims with follow-up medical care and supplies; provided in-home care providers, domestic workers, and day laborers with financial assistance, health and safety education; provided financial disaster aid, information on farmworker labor laws, immigration services, and immigrant rights support to low-wage immigrant or mixed-status families; and provided firefighters with updated safety equipment.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Many of you have asked how you can help families and communities respond to, rebuild, and recover from the wildfires.
We invite you to make a gift to our Wildfire Recovery Fund, which for over two decades has supported medium- and long-term recovery and preparedness efforts for major California wildfires. By investing in longer-term efforts, we can help ensure that affected communities achieve true and lasting renewal.