Photo credits: Ringo Chiu | REUTERS
New Jersey may be more than 2,000 miles away from California, but many Jerseyeans have turned to social media to share resources and heartfelt messages after the devastating wildfires broke out on Tuesday.
The New Jersey American Red Cross has begun deploying volunteers to California to assist with relief efforts with potentially more to be sent in the next days or weeks.
The wildfires in Los Angeles County, California have displaced nearly 180,000 people from their homes and burned through 29,000 acres of land around Los Angeles since Tuesday in what has become the most destructive in L.A. history.
More than 6,000 structures have been destroyed in the Southern California fires with wind gusts as high as 80 mph and dry conditions that have left it nearly impossible for firefighters to contain the fast spreading flames.
Although droughts are common in California, Southern California hasn’t received more than 0.1 inches of rain since May—which is a result of the planet’s worsening climate change.
New Jersey recently experienced a record-high drought period of 39 consecutive days without “measurable precipitation” that caused wildfires throughout the state including a few in Bergen County.
With a warming planet and unexpected disasters, everyone is encouraged to prepare a disaster kit for times of tragedy. This would include items like water, ready-to-eat food, medications, first-aid and more. For a full checklist, visit NJ Office of Emergency Management Prepare Kit.
If you would like to lend a hand, even from the East Coast, here are some ways you could help.
Donate To Los Angeles Resources
Another Man’s Treasure
The Jersey City-based vintage store recently opened its Pasadena, California location, which is one of the hotspots most deeply affected by the wildfires. They have since closed their California location due to the disaster, but are still open in Jersey City to donate a percentage of its proceeds to assist its L.A. community for their significant losses.
They are located in Downtown Jersey City at 195 Montgomery Street.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
The LAFD Foundation helps provide firefighters with equipment and supplies like hydration backpacks and wildland brush tools to help battle wildfires. Donations could also help provide emergency personal fire shelter to first responders.
Canine Rescue Club
The Canine Rescue Club is providing emergency shelter and transportation for displaced dogs. Any donation would also help cover the cost of medical care for injured or at-risk dogs, food and comfort supplies as well as clean water.
Wildfire Recovery Fund
Recovering from a natural disaster can take years, but the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund helps support communities rebuild especially those of the underserved population. Any donation could help the foundation continue its work with other foundations and nonprofits to provide aid to wildfire survivors and first responders.
Pasadena Humane Society
The Pasadena Humane Society has taken in over 300 animals as of Jan. 8 with an influx of animals coming in with burns or injuries. Any monetary donations would help the staff and volunteers with emergency resources such as medications, wound care and oxygen to help aid the animals affected by the wildfires.
Support Immigrant Workers Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires
The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is providing emergency support to immigrant workers affected by the fires. Any donations will help The Pasadena Community Job Center provide shelter, safety materials such as N95 masks, food and water to volunteers and community members. Many undocumented day laborers and other low-wage workers are at the forefront of clean-up and, potentially, for the rebuilding from this natural disaster.
California Fire Foundation
The California Fire Foundation provides aid to victims of wildfires or other natural disasters including families of fallen firefighters and the communities they serve. The tax-deductible donation can help provide emotional and financial assistance to the firefighters on ground and to local fire agencies that are providing critical support to communities in need.
Safety And Mental Health Tips For Reporters Covering Disasters
All eyes are on Los Angeles as hundreds of thousands residents look for an end to the ravaging fires.
While Los Angeles County’s first responders have been working for days trying to contain the fires, reporters have also been on the ground providing first-hand updates, which can pose not only physical threats, but also affect their mental health.
The Committee to Protect Journalists offers essential safety tips for reporters, including the need for proper equipment, situational awareness and preparation to stay safe on the front lines.
Even in New Jersey, journalists may be affected mentally by the news.
Below are mental health resources for journalists, as provided by the Asian American Journalist Association (AAJA), which was originally founded in Los Angeles and now has chapters throughout the U.S., including New Jersey.
- Journalists as vicarious first responders
- Covering Trauma: Impact on Journalists
- Mental health tips and resources for journalists
- Managing stress and digital overload as a journalist
For more shareable resources, you can visit the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for a list of open local shelters and Los Angeles Animal Care & Control for emergency animal shelters.
Currently, the Lidia Fire is at 60% containment and the Hurst Fire is 10% contained. The other three fires are still engulfing the area.
To stay up to date on the locations of the fire, containment progress and evacuation orders, visit fire.ca.gov. For more details on evacuation orders, click on the specific fire.
