How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County
Those looking to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles County firestorm have a number of options to donate money, materials or their time.
Communities in and around Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar are grappling with the devastation of the blazes, which collectively have scorched more than 21,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, businesses and other buildings.
State, regional and local grassroots organizations are collecting funds and recruiting volunteers to help those displaced or affected. There is also a call for supporting the Los Angeles Fire Department by donating to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
The foundation is seeking monetary donations to equip firefighters battling the wildfires with items including emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks and wildland brush tools. You can donate to the cause online.
You can also support regional and local organizations who are in need of funds, donations and volunteers.
This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
Local fire officials acknowledged Wednesday that they were overwhelmed by the power and size of the four major fires burning in Los Angeles County.
American Red Cross
What it does: The American Red Cross is working alongside its partners to provide shelter, food, emotional support and health services. The Los Angeles regional division is still identifying what resources will be needed in the coming days to support evacuees, said Mimi Teller, development communications manager for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region, but there are already a number of ways to support the organization’s efforts.
How you can help: You can support the Red Cross by making a donation online, by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999.
If you wish to volunteer with the Red Cross, Teller said participants must go through training before they can assist. You can register to become a volunteer online.
Five people have died, more than 2,000 structures have burned and at least 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders because of the wildfires burning across Los Angeles County. “We are absolutely not out of danger yet,” Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said.
California Fire Foundation
What it does: The foundation is working with local fire agencies and community organizations to support residents impacted by the blazes.
How you can help: An online monetary donation to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund directly supports victims of wildfires and disasters throughout California, including the L.A. County area.
Canine Rescue Club
What it does: The Canine Rescue Club is a network of caregivers who foster dogs awaiting their forever home.
How you can help: The club is looking for volunteers to offer temporary foster care for dogs displaced by the fires. You can apply to temporarily house an affected dog by filling out an online form.
Firefighters battling the Palisades fire dealt with hydrants that had little to no water flowing out. By 3 a.m. Wednesday, all hydrants ‘went dry,’ an LADWP official says.
GoFundMe
What it does: GoFundMe has created a centralized online hub housing all verified fundraising pages related to the wildfires. The hub will be updated with accounts as they are verified by the GoFundme team.
At the top of the hub is also GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund 2025.
How you can help: You can donate to the Wildfire Relief Fund. Monetary donations help deliver cash grants directly to those impacted by fires. The GoFundMe team identifies verified individuals who qualify and are fundraising either for themselves or on someone else’s behalf. The team may also provide grants to fundraisers benefiting small businesses and community relief efforts, or to vetted nonprofits coordinating long-term recovery.
You can also look through the verified fundraiser accounts on the hub and choose an account to help directly.
When you’re ordered to evacuate, you need to go as quickly as possible. Here are the essentials experts say to pack.
Lagartijas Climbing Crú
What it does: The Lagartijas Climbing Crú, a local BIPOC climbing club, has created a Google spreadsheet to connect fire victims with people who want to donate gear and dehydrated meals.
How you can help: You can sign up on the spreadsheet to lend or give gear including sleeping bags and sleeping pads. You can also donate clothes, fuel, and dehydrated meals.
Set Active
What it does: Set Active is an athleisure brand based in Los Angeles and is accepting clothing donations for families affected by the fires.
How you can help: You can send the company a direct message via Instagram with your intent to donate and the company will send you an address where you can drop off your donation.
YMCA Koreatown locations
What it does: The Anderson Munger Family YMCA and the Koreatown YMCA Center for Community Well-being are accepting essential items donations for victims.
How you can help: Both locations are accepting donations of items including unopened food — bread, jam and canned goods — clothing, blankets, emergency supplies and dog and cat food.
Donations can be dropped off at the Anderson Munger Family YMCA, 4301 W. 3rd St. in Los Angeles, doors close at 10 p.m.; and at the Koreatown YMCA, 433 S. Vermont Ave. in Los Angeles, doors close at 7 p.m.
Direct Relief
What it does: Direct Relief is a California-based disaster relief medical assistance organization. It’s currently working with the two Koreatown YMCA locations to hand out free N95 masks to residents affected by the harmful smoke.
How you can help: Those interested in supporting wildfire response efforts can donate to Direct Relief’s Wildfire Response Fund online. The donations directly benefit individuals impacted by the fires in Palisades, Altadena and across California providing critical aid where needed.
Salvation Army
What it does: The Salvation Army Southern California Division is working with government and nongovernment agencies to provide food, personal necessities and shelter to survivors and first responders, said Melinda Lankford, communications and marketing direction for organization’s Southern California Division.
What you can do: The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations through the Emergency Disaster Fund to help meet the urgent need across Southern California. Monetary donations to directly aid the region can be made online.
Checks can be mailed to “The Salvation Army - Disaster Relief” at P.O. Box 93002, Long Beach 90809-9355.
Pasadena Humane
What it does: Pasadena Humane animal control officers have been assisting with animal evacuations while Pasadena Humane staff have been working at the shelter to help take in the animals of displaced families. The organization has taken in over 100 animals, including a pony, and are continuing to take in animals for emergency boarding.
What you can do: You can make a monetary donation online. The organization is also accepting donated items, including food and water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Donated items can be left in a donation bin in the front parking lot at 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena 91105.
California Community Foundation
What it does: The California Community Foundation distributes grants to affected communities through its Wildfire Recovery Fund. The foundation’s team utilizes data from CalFire and CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to ensure their grants target the neediest communities with both intermediate recovery and long-term support.
What you can do: You can make a monetary donation online or by mailing a check to the “California Community Foundation” at 717 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90012. Include “Wildfire Recovery Fund” in the memo.
Bike Oven
What it does: The Bike Oven, a community-run workshop serving northeast Los Angeles, is currently open as a drop-off location for supplies for those dealing with the Eaton fire — the Oven will be closed for bike repairs Wednesday night.
How you can help: You can donate basic hygiene products, toiletries, N95 masks or respirators, pet food, power banks, batteries, blankets and sleeping bags. Items can be dropped off at 3706 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90065.
Escalemos
What it does: Escalemos, an organization that supports the Latinx/Hispanic climbing community, has created a GoFundMe page to help those who have been affected by the recent fires to replace climbing gear and equipment they might have lost.
How you can help: A monetary donation to the GoFundMe page goes directly to financial assist climbers who lost their equipment.
Baby2Baby
What it does: Baby2Baby is providing critical items, including diapers, food, formula and hygiene products for children and families who have lost their homes to the fires.
How you can help: You can donate online to the orgnization’s Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Program.
World Central Kitchen
What it does: World Central Kitchen’s relief team is in Southern California to support first responders and families affected by the fires, providing nourishing meals to people in need.
How you can help: You can help by making an online donation.
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
What it does: CORE is deploying an emergency response team to support those where air quality is a major concern. It is supplying emergency go-bags, masks and other protective equipment while providing information about evacuations and shelter support.
How you can help: You can support CORE’s efforts by making an online monetary donation.
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