Le Lézard
Classified in: Environment, Health
Subjects: NPT, PSF, ENI

Red Cross Provides Shelter and Comfort as 7 Large Wildfires Burn in Southern California


WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More wildfires broke out overnight in Southern California, pushing the number of people forced to leave their homes to nearly 200,000. In the midst of the devastation, the American Red Cross is making sure those affected have a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on.

Fast moving wildfire swept through the hills of Ventura County CA early Tuesday morning December 5 leaving devastation for miles and residents seeking shelter as they were forced to evacuate the area. Photo by Dermot Tatlow/American Red Cross

Overnight about 615 people took refuge from the fires in 13 Red Cross and community shelters. People coming to Red Cross shelters can expect hot meals, comfort and the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and get information. Red Cross disaster workers are also providing health services such as replacing lost medications and eyeglasses, emotional support and spiritual care to people whose lives have been turned upside down by these wildfires.

"The situation is rapidly evolving with new fires starting and new evacuation orders seemingly every hour. And the threat isn't over. The region faces extreme fire danger for the next several days. It's our objective to be fully prepared to help where needed," explained Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. "Right now, Red Cross volunteers are working alongside partners to ensure everyone gets the best possible help during this challenging time."

The Governor of California has declared a State of Emergency. The fires have already destroyed an estimated 430 homes and are threatening as many as 25,000 additional homes. With seven large fires now burning, more than 140,000 acres have been destroyed. Local power, water, transportation and communication infrastructures are being threatened by the seven fires and impacting four counties with a total population of more than 14 million people.

HOW TO FIND A SHELTER The Red Cross urges everyone to follow evacuation orders from local law enforcement and to have an emergency kit ready to go. If someone needs to find a shelter or other help, they should follow their local media or go to redcross.org and check the shelter map. People can also find a shelter by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App, which also puts wildfire safety tips at their fingertips. The app is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters. The Red Cross delivers help to whoever needs it regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or citizenship status. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and people who have disaster-caused needs do not need to be American citizens to access Red Cross services. The Red Cross is working with partners to provide care for evacuated pets. Anyone who needs a safe place to stay should come to an evacuation shelter, and suitable accommodations will be found for household pets. Service animals and therapy pets are welcome at Red Cross shelters.

WILDFIRE SAFETY People should listen to their local media for updates on the fire and be ready to leave quickly. Other wildfire safety steps include:

STAY CONNECTED WITH LOVED ONES Visit the Red Cross Safe and Well website at redcross.org/safeandwell to reconnect with loved ones. The site allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is always available, open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website. Registrations can also be completed by texting SAFE to 78876.

You can also use the "I'm Safe" feature of the Red Cross Emergency App to let loved ones know your status.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help people affected by disasters big and small, like wildfires and countless other crises, by making a donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters big and small. Call, click, or text to give: visit redcross.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 

American Red Cross. (PRNewsFoto/American Red Cross)

SOURCE American Red Cross


These press releases may also interest you

at 09:13
The trucking industry says new emission standards for heavy-duty trucks announced today by the Biden Administration have unachievable targets and will carry real consequences for the U.S. supply chain and movement of freight throughout the economy....

at 08:59
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) , an integrated critical battery materials company that is commercializing its technologies for both primary battery minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion battery recycling, today...

at 08:44
Environmental problems caused by population explosion such as global warming, natural resource depletion, deforestation, water shortage and plastic pollution are getting severe in the world. Regarding plastic pollution, micro-plastics, nano-plastics...

at 08:30
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom joins a team of neighborhood leaders and environmental justice organizations in a series of new ads (Regina, Tianna, Cesar, Nalleli, Community, Governor), to be aired statewide for the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy...

at 08:13
In a significant move to address the heating and cooling needs of European families, Midea's Residential Air Conditioner Division (Midea RAC) unveiled its new CirQHP Family products at the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) 2024. The CirQHP Family is...

at 08:11
In a significant stride towards eco-friendly comfort, Midea's Residential Air Conditioner Division (Midea RAC) unveiled its latest energy-saving R290 products at the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (MCE) 2024 in Milan. Midea RAC also co-hosted a Fireside...



News published on and distributed by: