California Wildfires 2018: Two-Year Update December 2020 Above: Red Cross colleagues Michael DeVulippieres and Vicki Eichstaedt visit the remains of a neighborhood in Paradise, California. Photo by Daniel Cima/ American Red Cross Cover photo: Red Cross volunteer Vicki Eichstaedt speaks with Randy Salez, of Magalia, California. Randy and his dog, Max, took refuge at a Red Cross shelter in Chico during the 2018 wildfires. “I have never seen people come together like this, with such generosity of spirit,” Randy said. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross A Message from Trevor Riggen, Senior Vice President, American Red Cross Disaster Services It’s been two years since the devastating 2018 wildfire season brought widespread evacuations, narrow escapes and tragic losses to families across California. That summer in Northern California, the Carr Fire consumed over 220,000 acres in Shasta and Trinity Counties, while the massive Mendocino Complex Fire raged for more than three months. And on November 8, the deadly Camp Fire wiped out nearly the entire town of Paradise as well as nearby communities, leaving heartbroken survivors struggling to get back on their feet. Meanwhile, the Woolsey Fire in Southern California forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes as it scorched large swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Wherever these disasters struck, from rural Butte County to suburban Los Angeles, dedicated American Red Cross volunteers and employees were on hand, providing relief and comfort to tens of thousands of Californians as they faced heartbreaking losses and an uncertain future. With generous support from donors across the U.S., we worked alongside our partners to deliver safe shelter, warm meals, basic health services and essential supplies to wildfire survivors. Equally important, our workers provided much needed emotional support and spiritual care to help people cope with the ongoing trauma inflicted by these wildfires. That commitment has continued over the last two years. Red Cross donors helped us provide millions of dollars in financial assistance as residents who lost so much began to recover and rebuild their lives. We’ve also awarded millions more in grant funding to partners who continue to do important work in the affected communities — from assistance with rebuilding homes to providing counseling and mental health services for survivors. Few things are more devastating to a family than seeing their home and cherished memories devoured by fire. But thanks to our compassionate supporters and dedicated employees and volunteers, we and our partners in recovery can continue to stand with people impacted by the deadly 2018 California wildfires — even as another devastating wildfire season has once again ravaged communities across the state. On behalf of those we serve, thank you for your commitment and your trust. Trevor Riggen 1 California Wildfires 2018 Two-Year Update | December 2020 Red Cross volunteers work with a disaster partner, World Central Kitchen, to load hot meals onto our response vehicles for residents impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire, which devastated the town of Paradise and other communities in Butte County, California. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross Delivering Relief and Comfort During a Devastating 2018 Wildfire Season In November 2018, the horrific Camp Fire swept through and the Mendocino Complex Fire — which was the the small Northern California town of Paradise and nearby largest in state history at the time. communities in Butte County. It was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history, taking 85 lives and As smoke and ash enveloped communities across the incinerating thousands of homes and local businesses. state, American Red Cross volunteers and employees were there to offer relief and comfort to wildfire survivors. On the same day, the Woolsey Fire ignited in Southern Working alongside government and community partners, California, eventually killing three people and displacing they helped provide refuge tor tens of thousands who more than 295,000 residents in Los Angeles and fled their homes as fires threatened and provided warm Ventura Counties. Thousands more people had faced the meals, relief items and cleanup supplies­ — as well as destructive impact of wildfires earlier that summer and sorely needed emotional support and spiritual care for fall, including the Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity Counties heartbroken residents and their families. Response at a Glance Through the deadly 2018 wildfire season in California, more than 2,600 American Red Cross volunteers and employees helped tens of thousands of affected residents. More than 382,100 meals and More than 81,200 relief snacks served with partners items distributed More than 66,800 health, mental health More than 61,300 overnight and spiritual care contacts provided shelter stays provided with partners —Cumulative figures as of October 28, 2020 2 California Wildfires 2018 Two-Year Update | December 2020 This compassionate care was critical for so many Camp After the fires, the Red Cross continued to offer critical Fire survivors, like 75-year-old veteran James Millen and resources for affected individuals and families who had his wife, Rebecca. In addition to $500 in financial nowhere else to turn. In Butte County, hundreds of assistance they received while staying at a shelter in displaced lived at Red Cross and community shelters Chico, California, Rebecca received mental health for months as they sought scarce available housing support from an on-site psychologist, who helped her in nearby towns. Throughout this time of stress and cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. James uncertainty, we continued to provide meals, relief told us that this mental health support was critical to supplies, comfort and more for hard-hit survivors. help his wife deal with the trauma of fleeing their home and losing so much to the flames. Supporting Recovery for Impacted Residents and Their Communities Our work has continued long after the fires were lost appliances and furniture, buying groceries, clothing contained and the smoke cleared. Recovering from and school supplies for children, transportation costs disasters of this scope is a marathon, not a sprint, and much more. and the Red Cross has worked with a wide range of partners, including government agencies, non-profit For wildfire survivors like Dave, who had just moved in to groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses a new apartment in Paradise three days before the Camp and long-term recovery groups, to help residents who Fire swept through town, Red Cross financial assistance lost so much to these devastating blazes get back on helped provide some comfort in the immediate aftermath their feet and rebuild their lives. of a harrowing escape. Most of his belongings were still in boxes as he fled just ahead of the flames with only a Over the last two years, we have remained by the sides laundry basket of socks and underwear in his car. Dave of 2018 wildfires survivors to offer ongoing support for received $500 in immediate assistance that helped him recovery. We provided financial assistance to help the purchase clothing to replace what was lost when his most severely affected residents meet critical needs, home burned. and we have continued to fund grants to partner organizations with specialized expertise that are carrying out vital work in their communities — including home repair and rebuilding assistance, access to mental health services and addressing the ongoing needs of underserved communities. Financial Assistance As of October 28, 2020, the Red Cross had provided over $27 million in recovery assistance to more than 10,000 individuals and families who were most severely impacted by the 2018 wildfires. These funds were in addition to $8.7 million in immediate financial assistance provided during the emergency response. All told, Red Cross financial assistance for 2018 California wildfires survivors totaled approximately $35.8 million. This support helped impacted families Long-time Malibu resident Bonnie Decker shares a moment with Red Cross worker Alexis Agrinsoni. Bonnie, who lost her home to the Woolsey Fire, address some of their most urgent needs, including received recovery assistance from the Red Cross. Photo by Scott Dalton/ temporary housing, home repairs and cleanup, replacing American Red Cross 3 California Wildfires 2018 Two-Year Update | December 2020 Grants for Community-Based Recovery Services One area of heightened emphasis is the Latino community in California, which constitutes 38% of the In addition to providing financial assistance directly to state’s population. To better reach underserved and affected individuals and families, the Red Cross has vulnerable members of this community, we are also supported community-based recovery efforts augmenting resources and staff to help Red Cross in California through strategic grants to non-profit teams and partners overcome cultural, linguistic and organizations with a strong track record of providing legal barriers that can make recovery especially difficult. vital services. Made possible by our generous donors, These efforts will help facilitate accessible, equitable and the Community Recovery phase of our program inclusive services during response, recovery and prioritizes the most vulnerable survivors in communities preparedness programming. Augmented staff will also with the least access to recovery funding and help diversify the Red Cross workforce to better