How You Can Help California Wildfire Victims, Firefighters, and Rescue Efforts

A firefighter works to extinguish flames as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, California, Jan. 8, 2025. (Image: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

In the early hours of January 7, hurricane-like winds sparked four devastating wildfires across Los Angeles County, forcing over 80,000 people to evacuate and threatening more than 10,300 homes.

The Palisades Fire alone has scorched nearly 3,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has consumed 1,000 acres, and the Hurst Fire has burned through 500 acres. Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood nestled between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is among the hardest hit.

Currently, about 1,400 firefighters are battling these blazes, including a significant number of incarcerated individuals who make up 30% of California’s wildland firefighting crews. Their work is critical to containing wildfires—they use chainsaws, axes, and rakes to clear vegetation and create firebreaks that starve the flames of fuel.

However, this dangerous work comes at a cost. Incarcerated firefighters face injury rates far higher than their professional counterparts: they are four times more likely to suffer physical injuries — such as cuts, fractures, and dislocations — and eight times more likely to experience smoke inhalation. These heightened risks stem in part from limited training; while professional firefighters undergo three years of apprenticeship, incarcerated firefighters may be deployed with as little as three weeks of preparation.

Despite the hazards, their compensation is shockingly low. Incarcerated firefighters earn between $2.90 and $5.12 per day, with a slight increase during active fire deployment.

How You Can Help by Donating 30+ Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Avax, Doge coin and more

• California Fire Foundation – Providing emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect.
• Wildland Firefighter Foundation — Helping families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.
• Friends of Grassroots Wildland Firefighters — Promoting and advocating for Federal Wildland Fire personnel titled Forestry Technicians and Range Technicians
• Baby2Baby- Distributing over 60 million critical items to children devastated by natural disasters and emergency situations across the country.
• Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation — Through its Noah’s Legacy fund, the Foundation assists with various needs in disasters.
• California Community Foundation — Finding long-term, comprehensive solutions that address the vital issues concerning quality of life in Los Angeles County.

Fire evacuation centers and animal shelters

Your donation can make a significant difference in protecting lives, homes, and the brave individuals on the front lines of these fires.