L.A. Wildfire Relief Efforts Launched: How to Join the Relief Effort
The devastating wildfires burning across Los Angeles reached the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, nearing iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl. At the same time, fires have already impacted communities and thousands of people, including in the Palisades, Altadena, the San Fernando Valley, and Malibu. As of Wednesday night, the L.A. Fire Department reported that the Palisades Fire was zero percent contained and is the most destructive fire in L.A. history, destroying more than 1,000 structures and leading to at least five deaths. There are six active wildfires in the Los Angeles area—the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, Lidia, and the latest Sunset Fire, which broke out Wednesday night in the Hills and is close to other iconic spots like the Hollywood sign and Walk of Fame. Famous residents, like Mark Hamill, who fled Malibu with his family, have shared on social media how terrifying the fires have been and called it “the most horrific fire since ’93.”
Various organizations have begun to mobilize aid efforts for the city, with fires leading to a reported 130,000 residents under evacuation orders. These efforts include aid intended for first responders, members of the entertainment community impacted by the fires, and more. Below is a list of some of the organizations that are collecting donations and offering aid:
The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation issued a funding alert calling for donations on Tuesday to help keep LAFD firefighters safe by covering the costs of tools and safety equipment for LAFD firefighters, with the raised funds for safety equipment and crucial tools like hydration backpacks and emergency fire shelters. As noted in The Hollywood Reporter, The Annenberg and Wasserman foundations immediately provided $1 million to the fund, which helps equip LAFD members with supplies like emergency fire shelters and hydration backpacks.
The Screen Actors Guild: SAG canceled their live, in-person announcement of the SAG Awards nominations on Wednesday due to the fires. They are now accepting donations to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s natural disaster relief fund, which goes directly to the SAG-AFTRA community.
The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF)’s Defy:Disaster is now accepting donations from members of the entertainment community and the public to support first responders, firefighters, and neighborhoods affected by the fires. EIF has been around since 1942 and has raised and directed millions of dollars in the past that have gone to first responders across the state, including after the deadly Camp and Woolsey fires in 2018. “Our hearts go out to all who have lost their homes and those who are uncertain what the days ahead will hold,” EIF president and CEO Nicole Sexton said in a statement. “There is an urgent need to provide shelter, food and water, medical care for individuals and families, as well as care for pets that have been displaced.” The EIF administered Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson’s People’s Fund of Maui, which was launched in 2023 in response to the devastating fires in Kula and Lahaina. The effort led to $60 million in residents’ bank accounts in six months.
Wildlife philanthropies and funds are being set up, including across GoFundMe, which has created a central hub for all of its verified accounts that are raising funds for wildfire relief efforts. GlobalGiving works with local organizations to assist with disasters. In the short term, GlobalGiving is providing food and emergency medical supplies to impacted residents and their pets, as well as aid to front-line workers. They’ve also launched the California Wildlife Relief Fund to support the longer-term needs that will arise once the fires are contained.
Chef José Andrés’ food relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen is in L.A., providing first responders and evacuees with water and sandwiches and is accepting donations to help them provide fresh meals to communities in need in California.
Featured image: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 8: Firefighters battle flames from the Palisades Fire on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
