Northern California Fires - Help Always Needed

• Northern California Fires - General Information
• Big Sur Fires 2008: How to Help
• Butte County Fires 2008: How to Help

Submit Fire Information:

If your organization is involved in disaster relief for the Northern California fires, please e-mail me your information and I'll add your resources to the master lists on the above pages.

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The Bay Area has seen its share of smoke and haze due to the ongoing fires in Northern California. At the same time we've been spared the persistent and raging blazes that plague our neighbors to the north and south. My husband and I lived in Oakland during the firestorm of 1991 and, like most Californians, have an unfortunate and intimate understanding of how devastating these fires can be on us, on our companion animals, and on the wilderness around us.

If you can, consider making a donation to one of the relief organizations mentioned below. If your organization is involved with the Northern California fire relief efforts, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.

Big Sur Fire

According to SurFire2008 the Basin Complex fire has now burned more than 90,000 acres with expected containment by July 30, 2008. The Big Sur fire began in early June, so the duress of the situation is inexplicable for everyone involved. You can donate to the Red Cross (Carmel) or the Big Sur Fire Relief Fund to help.

As I wrote in an earlier post, a number of local blogs are covering both the statistical and personal aspects of the fire and its effects. Check out Big Sur Fire Blogging for a list of some of those blogs. Another good resource is the website for KUSP 88.9 (Central Coast Public Radio). Their site has news, photos and links to resources on the fires.

SPCA of Monterey County & Fire Rescue

I received a note from a reader, discussing the work of the SPCA of Monterey County. They've rescued animals left behind by owners, helped owners with animal rescue, and have maintained an evacuation shelter next to the Red Cross shelter. They have a page devoted to the fire rescue, a photo slideshow, and information for residents and for those who would like to donate.

Butte County Fires

Information provided by CalFire indicates more than 49,000 acres have burned throughout Butte County. New evacuation orders were issued yesterday around the town of Paradise. This press release has details of the affected area. Three Rivers Red Cross has been facilitating shelters and relief efforts.

A reader here posted that the atmosphere in Chico is almost like fog the smoke is so thick.

North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG)

NVADG has been involved with the Butte County animal rescue operations, along with volunteers from two national rescue organizations, Noah's Wish and United Animal Nations. The North Valley Animal Disaster Group website has photo slide shows and information on how to donate.