North Bay Fires — How to Help

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A residential area in north Santa Rosa scorched by the recent Tubbs Fire. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza, via Creative Commons license.

Updated with additional links on Oct. 16, 2017.

Dear readers,

The North Bay fires are the most important story in our region this week. And the rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts that will emerge from this devastation will dominate headlines and draw our collective attention for months and years to come.

As you know, the San Francisco Public Press focuses on long-term, local in-depth investigations. Sometimes we report breaking news in San Francisco, but we are not equipped to cover expansive, rapidly changing events on the scale and scope of the North Bay fires.

We would like to acknowledge the critical reporting being done by our colleagues at local and regional newspapers, and television and radio outlets throughout Northern California. Their tireless efforts are helping us all wrap our heads around what is happening as wind-fueled wildfires wreck lives and vibrant communities.

We’d like to share some information and resources that you may find useful whether you are seeking assistance or looking for ways to support communities that need help.

How to give help

The California Report has assembled an extensive list of organizations that can use your help: “From Donations to Volunteering: How to Help Fire Victims

KALW’s “Your Call” broadcast from Rohnert Park on Thursday with a program on fire relief efforts and ways to help people displaced by the fires.

How to get help

FEMA and the Small Business Administration are offering help: “Sonoma County Fire Victims Urged to Apply for Federal Aid” (Press Democrat) and “Where Fire Victims Can Apply for Tax Relief and FEMA Grants and Loans” (San Francisco Chronicle)

How to find loved ones. (San Francisco Chronicle) And reunite with lost pets. (SF Weekly) And find shelters and information about school closures. (KQED News)

Updates on the fires

All live updates from the San Francisco Chronicle (usually limited to subscribers) are available via SFGate.

In addition to extensive reporting, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat features a comprehensive containment index for all the North Bay fires.

Fire Containment Index from The Press Democrat

The Bay Area has been experiencing the regional effects all week. According to the East Bay Times, there’s more to come — “Smoke Getting Worse: Here’s Where It’s Headed

The Department of Homeland Security has formally suspended immigration enforcement in areas affected by the wildfires. (San Francisco Chronicle)

More from around the region

Sonoma County’s Latino Workforce Faces Job Losses From Fires” (KQED News)

North Bay Tragedy Prompts Memories, Insights From 1991 Firestorm Survivors” (Berkeleyside)

North Bay Open Space Managers Wait to Survey Losses” (Bay Nature)

Northern California Wildfires Drive Tribes From Their Homes (Grist/High Country News)

The 13 Worst Wildfires in California History” (Sfist)

No, ‘Essential Oils’ Will Not Clear the California Fire Smoke Out of Your Air” (Mother Jones)

The Chronicle has created a listing of events organized to support fire victims, followed on the same page by a list of events canceled or postponed and venues closed due to the fires.

 

 

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