Since Oct. 8th,  there have been 18 large wildfires in Northern California. 11,000 firefighters are working long hours with little or no rest continue to battle the historically destructive Northern California wildfires that have claimed at least 40 lives, displaced about 100,000 people and destroyed approximately 7,700 homes and other buildings. Wiping out whole neighborhoods and damaged vineyards and farms in the heart of the state’s wine country.
As of Oct. 20th, there were still seven large wildfires burning in the region and firefighters had achieved majority containment, or were close to doing so, on all of them, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Fueled mostly by chewing tobacco, coffee and adrenaline, firefighters are “pushing it to the limits.”
“We have people who’ve been on that line for days, and they don’t want to leave that section of line because there’s still work to do, there are homes to save and they’re very passionate about it,” says Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann. “We’re public service employees and [that’s what] everyone does — we’re here to help.”
Getting firefighters off the line and rested is a priority, even if it’s against their will.

“It’s like pulling teeth to get firefighters and law enforcement to disengage,”
– Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann

How You Can Help

Help The Firefighters

Based in Boise, Idaho, Wildland Firefighters Foundation provides aid to firefighters injured while battling grass or forest fires throughout the West. Support could include assistance with travel costs to bring family members to the bedside of an injured firefighter, or help with replacing lost wages during a firefighter’s medical leave. The Foundation also provides support and memorials to families of fallen firefighters.
https://wffoundation.org/product/donate-online/

Help The Victims

GoFundMe has a page dedicated to the many individual crowd-sourcing campaigns that have been established since the fires broke out on Sunday. They include fundraisers for families and businesses.
https://www.gofundme.com/raise-funds/CAfirerelief

Donate to the Direct Impact Fund in partnership with GoFundMe. The Direct Impact Fund, an independent, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has partnered with GoFundMe to deliver tax-deductible donations to support victims of natural and man-made disasters.
All beneficiaries selected to receive donations will be fully vetted and certified by GoFundMe’s Trust & Safety Team and are backed by the GoFundMe Guarantee.
https://www.gofundme.com/official-ca-fire-relief-fund/donate