In 2017, historic wildfires consumed more than 500,000 acres across California. As rapidly spreading blazes forced mandatory evacuations and inflicted catastrophic damage again and again, the American Red Cross worked around the clock to help residents coping with heartbreaking losses and the stress of displacement from their homes.
"We are safe here"
Nazriet, Santa Rosa, CA
Served over 278,600 meals and snacks with our partners
Provided over 39,300 overnight stays in shelters with our partners
Distributed over 202,000 relief items like diapers, cleaning supplies, coolers and comfort kits
Over 26,700 health and mental health contacts made
“They were everywhere. They had food and gloves and shovels and rakes and sifters...things we needed. We didn’t have to take the time to figure out where to get them.”
Candace Hall, Santa Rosa, CA
The Red Cross has raised $29.3 million, including the value of critical donated goods and services, to help people affected by the 2017 California Wildfires.
As of October 8, 2018, the Red Cross had already programmed approximately $18.9 million on emergency relief and recovery efforts for the 2017 California Wildfires. The remaining funds will be used to help with unmet needs for individuals and families impacted by the 2017 wildfires, as well as to expand longer-term community-based recovery services in the affected areas.
Recovering from disasters of this magnitude can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Since the fires, the Red Cross has worked alongside a wide range of partners, including government agencies, non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others, to coordinate relief and recovery efforts for people with unmet needs.
As people began to recover, trained case workers met with impacted individuals and families, giving them a chance to share their most urgent needs and ask questions. They helped affected residents create individual recovery plans and locate available services and resources to get back on their feet.
In some situations, the Red Cross provided financial support for needs like apartment deposits, clothes and food, or to cover immediate transportation expenses. Today, we are also using donated dollars to provide additional financial assistance to households that need extra help and to provide grants for community-based recovery services.
The Red Cross honors donor intent and all donations earmarked for Disaster Relief will be used to help people affected by disasters, big and small. Americans work hard for their money, and we’re committed to being the very best stewards of our donors’ dollar. The Red Cross keeps our expenses low and an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.
Help people affected by disasters big and small.