California's Early Season Wildfires

Donate to Help

This listing is provided for information purposes only. It is not a request by the State of California, the Governor or First Lady for donations to any particular organization. CaliforniaVolunteers strongly encourages potential donors to investigate unfamiliar organizations before donating money, goods or services.

If you represent a 501(c)(3) organization that provides relief to victims of the recent fires in Northern California, and your organization would like to be included on this list, please contact CaliforniaVolunteers toll-free number, 1-888-567-SERV (7378).

Monetary Donations:
Donate to help victims of disaster through the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.

Butte County
Paradise Community Foundation
To donate by phone please call: 530-876-8033
North Valley Community Foundation
American Red Cross, Three Rivers Chapter
Salvation Army, Del Oro Division
Caring Choices Volunteer Center of Northern California
To donate by phone please call: 530-899-3873 or toll free 866-703-3873
Make checks payable to Caring Choices Volunteer Center and mail to 1398 Ridgewood Drive, Chico, CA 95973

Monterey County
SPCA of Monterey County

Volunteer Opportunities

Due to dangerous conditions related to the fire response, please do not travel to the disaster site without explicit instructions from a qualified emergency response organization. Use the Web site links below to register to volunteer to help.

Butte County

To find volunteer opportunities relating to the fires in Butte county, please visit the Caring Choices Volunteer Center of Northern California Web site

Gov. Schwarzenegger Directs Coordinated Firefighting Efforts and Resources to Combat Wildfires

Train NOW for Future Disasters

Following a major disaster, most relief organizations and emergency responder agencies are extremely busy, even if they are outside the affected area. Organizations can become overwhelmed with too many volunteers. The best time to sign-up to volunteer is during a non-disaster time. This allows you to train with a disaster relief organization to be ready when the next emergency strikes.

To find a training or volunteer opportunity go to our home page, CaliforniaVolunteers.org, enter your zip code and select “Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness” from the pull down menu. You will receive a list of potential opportunities in your area, such as joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

In addition, you can find more information here:

Disaster Preparedness

1. WE Identify Our Risks
Identify dangers where you live and work, and where your children go to school. Find out what natural or man-made disasters pose a risk for you and your family. Do you live or work in a flood plain, near a major earthquake fault or in a high fire danger area?
• Contact your local Office of Emergency Services (OES) or local chapter of the American Red Cross, and get informed.
• Check with your insurance company to see if your home is in a high-risk area for fire, flood or earthquakes. Make sure your insurance coverage is up-to-date on an annual basis.

2. WE Create a Family Disaster Plan
WE Prepare by creating a family plan.
• Designate a meeting place outside of your home. This is where family members can go if you have to evacuate.
• Identify an out-of-state “family contact.” It is often easier to call long-distance following a disaster.
• Know and understand your plan. Involve all members of your household in the creation of your plan, especially children.
• Learn how to get important information in your community and how to talk to family members, if you become separated.
• Take care of your family pets. Store food and water for them in your disaster supply kit and keep their tags up-to-date.

3. WE Practice Our Disaster Plan
After working with your family to develop your plan — practice it. Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home. Know how to respond in a disaster — whether to stay put indoors, or whether to evacuate your neighborhood.

4. WE Build a Disaster Supply Kit For Our Home and Car
In order to be self-sufficient until help arrives, you need to have a disaster supply kit. Your home kit should have at least the following items and be kept in containers that can be easily carried such as backpacks, plastic totes or wheeled trash cans. Carry a smaller kit in your car.
• Have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable and canned food, and water for all family members. Replace water every six months. Don’t forget to restock food items.
• First aid kit.
• Battery-powered flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries. Replace batteries on a regular basis.
• Change of clothing and footwear, and one blanket or sleeping bag for each family member.
• Extra set of car keys, a credit card and cash.
• Extra medications.
• Sanitation supplies (such as soap, cleaning supplies, shampoo, toilet tissue, etc.).
• Extra prescription glasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.

5. WE Prepare Our Children
The more informed and involved children are in disaster planning, the more prepared they will be. Talk to your kids about risks and what your family will do if disaster strikes. Empower your children to help develop your family plan, build your disaster supply kits and lead practice drills.

6. WE Keep in Mind Unique Needs
Remember to prepare for unique needs that you or your family members have. Do you have small children or are there seniors or individuals with disabilities in your family? Make sure you have infant supplies, medications or durable medical equipment that you or your family members may need. Have enough supplies to last at least three days. Contact the National Council on Disability at www.ncd.gov for more information.

7. WE Learn CPR and First Aid
Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross today and get trained on first aid and CPR. Your training could save the life of a loved one or neighbor following a disaster.

8. WE Secure Our Space at Home and the Workplace
Secure the contents of your home or office to reduce potential dangers, especially during shaking from an earthquake or an explosion. Strap large electronics, anchor tall furniture, secure cabinet doors and overhead objects such as ceiling fans and pictures. Find out how you can make your home fire safe by contacting your local fire department or CalFire.

9. WE Understand Threats of Man-Made Disaster
There are many types of disasters. Some are natural occurrences, such as earthquakes and floods. Others are man-made and can range from chemical spills and power outages to terrorist attacks. WE Prepare by understanding and being ready for both types of disasters.

10. WE Serve
In California, one way WE Prepare is by helping others. There are many ways you can get involved to help make sure your community is ready for disasters. Log on to CaliforniaVolunteers.org and Volunteer Now! In the search by interest box select Public Safety & Disaster Preparedness to find out where to donate blood or how to join a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the American Red Cross, Fire Safe Council or other volunteer organizations in your area.

Additional Links: