Today’s children will experience more extreme climate events in their lifetimes than their parents and grandparents. Over the past few years alone, California has experienced a series of increasingly larger and deadlier wildfires.
Today, as several wildfires burn across California, engulfing Los Angeles County, Save the Children is working to meet the most urgent needs of kids and families living in some of the areas hardest hit by the devastating wildfires.
Your donation to the Children's Emergency Fund helps families in the United States prepare for and recover from disasters.
Save the Children's Emergency Response
As thousands of acres continue to burn across Los Angeles County, threatening children's homes, schools, communities and health, Save the Children is focused on reaching the most vulnerable communities with long-term recovery efforts, including getting kids back to learning, helping child care providers re-open and protecting children's mental health and well-being.
We are helping provide critical supplies, like hygiene kits, water bottles, blankets and portable chargers.
We're helping to restore child care and early learning centers damaged by the catastrophic wildfires.
Our psychosocial team is offering mental health and psychosocial support to children and caregivers.
Here's what you need to know about the California wildfires and how to help
What is causing the California wildfires?
The current California wildfires have been fueled by a combination of dry conditions and powerful winds. Record hot and dry temperatures followed by little to no rain can contribute to dry vegetation.
As of January 13, the fires in and around Los Angeles County has burned through more than 40,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire).
Where are the California wildfires?
The largest of the California fires, the Palisades Fire, the Palisades Fire erupted Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades.
The Eaton Fire ignited Tuesday night near a canyon in the sprawling national forest lands north of downtown Los Angeles.
The Hurst Fire started Tuesday night in a suburban neighborhood north of San Fernando, Sylmar.
The Sunset Fire sparked in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles near Runyon Canyon shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The Lidia Fire broke out near the community of Acton in a region between the Sierra Pelona and San Gabriel mountains Wednesday afternoon.
When is the California wildfire season?
Experts state that September and October are the most vulnerable months for California wildfires. According to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, of the 20 most destructive wildfires in California history, 12 of them took place in September and October. Peak wildfire season runs from July thru October.
However, now, extreme fire weather has extended far beyond its usual window, creating a year-round threat.
How is Save the Children responding to the needs of children impacted by the California wildfires?
Save the Children is working to meet the most urgent needs of kids and families living in some of the areas hardest hit by the devastating wildfires.
As a leader in education and childcare recovery, we’re working with partners to reach families in California by:
• Providing families with essential items and emergency cash.
• Ensuring children are safe through emergency child care and providing child care centers with emergency grants.
• Offering mental health and psychosocial support to children and caregivers.
Your donation to the Children's Emergency Fund supports our work to help families in the United States prepare for and recover from disasters.
How is Save the Children supporting child care and early learning centers damaged by the California wildfires?
Save the Children works with schools, child care networks and community centers, which serve as anchors of support to families during a crisis. Save the Children’s support to community partners includes:
- Partnering with Project Camp to set up emergency child care centers where children can safely play.
- Providing cash assistance to impacted families so they can purchase essential items for their families.
- Coordinating with schools and local child-care networks. We will provide educational supply vouchers and emergency cash grants to help classrooms, child care businesses and early learning centers restore and reopen as quickly as possible.
- Connecting with community organizations to assess the mental health needs of impacted children and caregivers, to begin planning long-term recovery support. We will provide training to educators and caregivers as well as provide psychosocial support to children and caregivers.
"Many children left home with only the clothes on their backs, and will need our help for many months to come,” said Lucero Chavez Ramirez, director of Save the Children’s California programs. “It’s critical we get children the essentials they need to be safe and healthy – and back to learning and their everyday, comforting routines. Save the Children is committed to helping them get that support now and over the long-term."
What is Save the Children's history of responding to wildfires and extreme weather events in the U.S.?
Save the Children has been helping America's children recover from major disasters since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We provided support to California families during the unprecedented 2020 wildfire season and has been working in the state since 2004, leading high-quality early education programs in some of the most impoverished rural communities.
How can you help support children and families impacted by the California Wildfires?
By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you will help Save the Children protect kids in the United States when disaster strikes.
