The recent fires in Los Angeles County have impacted many within the Biola community including faculty and students.
There are resources for victims of the fires and for those who want to help in addition to multiple GoFundMes organized for those affected.
RESOURCES
Here are helpful links and websites that provide information on the fires and resources for victims and evacuees.
Watch Duty Wildfire Map shows the range and containment percentage of various fires in your area along with locations of evacuation shelters, animal shelters, information centers and places where meals are available for first responders and evacuees. The website includes maps of areas under evacuation orders and warnings as well as locations under fire weather watches, red flag warnings and places affected by power outages. An app version is also available on IOS and Android.
The County of Los Angeles website posts updates from officials about the fires in addition to an emergency map of the county. Information about evacuations, road closures, water alerts and other humanitarian help centers are also provided.
IQAir’s website provides information about the air quality and pollutants in the air at your chosen location.
The California Department of Public Health has a page on their website dedicated to offering tips on coping with loss due to the fires and the emotional trauma linked to it. It also offers ways to help children cope with loss and trauma as well.
The LA Country Department of Mental Health also has a page with additional mental health resources like hotlines and articles on mental health in natural disasters and wildfires.
WebMD’s article on smoke inhalation states that “the number one cause of death related to fires is smoke inhalation.” It lists symptoms to be aware of, preventative measures and advice on when to seek medical care.
KTLA, a Los Angeles and Southern California news outlet, has a list of restaurants that offer free food to evacuees and first responders fighting the fires.
Airbnb announced that they were partnering with 211 LA to offer free temporary housing to those displaced by the fires.
Their news page said, “Currently, Airbnb.org is partnering with the 211 LA who is identifying residents in need of temporary housing and helping to connect them to Airbnb.org stays. They are specifically focused on residents who have either lost their home or been forced to evacuate in the Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Sylmar areas. Impacted residents can request assistance for temporary housing support from Airbnb.org by filling out this intake form with 211 LA.”
The Los Angeles Times has a list of free and discounted resources for residents impacted by the fires including free food, clothing, baby supplies, childcare and pet support among others.
GOFUNDMES
Using GoFundMe is a more direct way of donating to specific individuals and families affected by the fires. Below are some GoFundMes organized by members of the Biola community.
Rosemead’s Student Government set up a GoFundMe for Tania Abouezzeddine, an associate professor of psychology, at Biola.
The description of the GoFundMe said, “Please join us as we help our friend, colleague, mentor, professor, and neighbor seek relief from losing her home in the Eaton Fire. Any amount of support is helpful during this time of loss. While we thank God for the safety of her and her family, we also commit to walking alongside her during this difficult season.”
A 2024 Biola communications graduate, North Steinbacher, and her family also asked for donations via GoFundMe after their two-story home in Altadena burned in the Eaton Fire.
“We are asking for donations to be able to get back on our feet. We need housing, food, basic and everyday necessities. We are a family of 4 with two dogs and a cat,” the description of their GoFundMe said.
Another fundraiser was set up to help the Wellema family whose hat shop was lost in the fire.
Shelby Wellema is a Biola alumna whose godsister organized the GoFundme which states that the donations support the monthly expenses of the Wellema family, their full-time and trusted employee Maddie and toward rebuilding Wellema Hat Co.
PhD clinical psychology student Cienna Lopez asked for the Biola community to pray for and donate to her uncle and aunt’s GoFundMe.
She talked about her uncle and aunt’s story in the GoFundMe description.
“They have always been kind and sweet. Unfortunately, their house was burned down due to the Eaton Canyon fires,” Lopez said. “They had just finished building their house and moved in just less than a month ago. They were able to grab a few possessions and the dogs. They left their house assuming they’d come back and came back to everything destroyed.”
DONATION AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
KTLA has a list of ways on their website to best help those impacted by the fires. This includes links for donations to organizations like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Salvation Army and the Pasadena Humane Society which is looking for donations of animal supplies like food, water bowls, extra-large crates, blankets and more.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has a page where donations are being accepted to help firefighters called the LAFD Wildfire Emergency Funding Alert.
Social media has played a major role in spreading awareness about the fires, donation links and opportunities to volunteer or help.
The LA Times posted on Instagram about various organizations, shelters, animal shelters, restaurants and clothing brands looking for volunteers over the weekend to help temporarily foster animals, assemble and distribute care packages, and donate and distribute food and clothing for those affected by the fires.
Many Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) locations in the Los Angeles area are looking for volunteers. More information on how to join them and where to help at a location nearest to you can be found on their website. They have also partnered with the American Red Cross where you can volunteer to donate blood or become a disaster volunteer.
The Union Rescue Mission is asking for volunteers to help in their kitchens, distribution centers and with childcare.
LA Animal Services is over capacity with the influx of incoming animals due to the fires. They are encouraging those who can to foster or adopt dogs or volunteer in the shelter.
In addition, Greater Good Charities has a donation page where you can help people and pets impacted by the fires.
There is also a spreadsheet with volunteer opportunities going viral online.
Many churches are accepting donations as well. There are numerous charities, businesses and organizations fundraising and accepting donations that can easily be found on the internet.
