More than 1,000 miles away from Ralston Valley High School, California continues to be devastated by wildfires. Three of the largest California fires since the year 2000 are being fought as we speak. The heat radiates like a brick wall, a red beast tearing across the state, leaving the earth black and charred in its wake.

In 2018 alone, 600,000 acres of California land has been burned. In August, 17 large fires were being fought simultaneously by 13,000 firefighters and 2,300 National Guard members, each silhouetted against a massive orange and red wall.  

Some 150,000 people were forced to abandon their homes in November alone.

What can Colorado students do to help, all these 1,000 miles away?

Here’s your breakdown of reliable ways to assist the victims of the California fires.

Donate to the American Red Cross: These lovely people have set up numerous shelters throughout the area, assisting the many injured, distressed, and newly homeless people. You can easily donate through their website. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps.

Donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: These constantly-occurring tragedies are putting a strain on this fire department, and the foundation helps them continue to contain the fires directly, catering to many of their immediate needs. One of the foundation’s biggest current goals is a campaign to provide hydration packs.

Work to prevent wildfires here at home: The last thing this country needs in this time of most desperate need is another fire, and we should all do our part. Besides the obvious things, like making sure your fire extinguishers work and are up to date, that you don’t panic in the case of a fire, and that your family has a plan for emergencies, there are more steps you should take as well.

Be cautious about starting campfires in dry areas, and make sure they’re completely put out when you’re done. Keep all fire starting equipment out of reach of children, especially matches and lighters. When you, a responsible adult (or non-child), use a match, douse it completely in water or put it in a closed container. Never leave a fire unattended, and use only legal fireworks in exclusively legal ways.

Be responsible, and stay safe!

Information gathered from:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/07/us/california-fires-mendocino.html

https://people.com/human-interest/charities-donate-to-help-victims-california-wildfires/

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/wildfire/how-to-prevent-wildfires.html