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cchapel:
cchapel:
California is on fire.
There are 60+ active fires happening right now in California, and each of them is being aided by strong winds and dry conditions. As of October 10th, there have been 17 confirmed deaths (expected to increase), up to 3,000 destroyed structures (also to increase), and over 20k evacuees fleeing into neighboring cities. The worst fires are currently burning in Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties, with entire cities like Santa Rosa under mandatory curfew and evacuation notices. Everyone in the effected counties is on alert for the moment the winds shift, and they have to leave.
Neighboring cities, like Petaluma, are opening every single door, with people offering beds, businesses offering food and shelter, the community pool offering showers, and every public building an evacuation center. The community as a whole has come together to help aide everyone who’s fleeing what’s being called one of the worst fires in California’s history.
On top of this, the air quality in the Bay Area is at a SEVERE status, with schools closed in an attempt to keep kids indoors. People are being told to stay inside, and to avoid anything that will worsen their exposure to smoke that’s not just wood, but plastic, paint, metal, and more. The power has been out in some places, as well a cell service being impacted due to towers being destroyed. Gas has been cut off to 32 thousand customers as lines are close to the fire.
Since October 8th, people in California have been waking up from a dead sleep to evacuation orders, their neighbors knocking on their doors, the police sounding sirens, and leaving everything. Social media has offered people with resources of where to go, who can help. Being from Sonoma County, I’ve never seen a such a response and have been touched by all of the help I see being given.
To help:
A youcaring page for the city of Santa Rosa
North Bay Fire Victim’s Fund through a local credit union
Salvation Army’s Northern California Fund
Each fund gives 100% to disaster relief, which includes clothes, food, water, shelter, and in some cases, direct financial aid.
Please reblog and spread the word!!!
UPDATE 10/12:
Most of the main fires threatening the Bay Area are less than 10% contained. There’s also a new warning out for part of the Bay Area as winds move the fires swiftly southbound. Firefighters from Oregon are currently on their way to help, the largest firefighting plane in the world is dropping loads on the different fires, and the president is still SILENT on this.
Keep spreading the word, on all social media, make everyone aware that California is going up in flames.
For those IN THE BAY AREA there’s also a Google Doc that’s updated regularly on what you can do to help, and places that need donations. If you aren’t in the Bay Area please don’t bog the doc down with views, it’s crucial that those in the area have access.
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