Firefighters continue to battle a series of blazes across California, the largest of which has burned more than 354,000 acres around Mendocino County as of Tuesday, August 14. That fire, Mendocino Complex Fire, is a combination of two fires in close proximity and has surpassed the Thomas Wildfire to become the largest in modern state history
An emergency shipment of 11,840 N-95 masks is bound for District 4-C1 Lions Clubs to support wildfire response efforts in Northern California. pic.twitter.com/JQfuKEum4V
— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) August 8, 2018
Northwest of Shasta County, the Carr Fire, the deadliest of the sixteen-plus fires burning across California, has killed at least eight people and destroyed more than 1,600 structures.
Evacuations and road closures remain in effect with nearly 207,162 acres charred.
Nearly 600,000 acres burned. More than 13,000 firefighters battling blazes. More than 2,300 members of the National Guard pulled into the fight. https://t.co/Zyr2kV3xC8
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 8, 2018
Direct Relief has extended offers of support to more than 20 healthcare providers in the region and has also been in communication with the California Department of Health and the California Office of Emergency Services.
Direct Relief maintains a standing inventory of items needed during wildfires, such as N-95 masks and respiratory medications. A shipment of 1,000 N-95 masks, along with personal care items like lotion and soap for evacuees, was delivered to the Lake County Health Department earlier this month.
A total of 20,000 N-95 masks were also sent to the District 4-C1 Lions Club and Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency in response to the Carr fire, and additional respiratory medicines and supplies were delivered to Worldwide Healing Hands for those impacted by the Mendocino Complex Fire.
Companies that have supported the response with donated financial support or products include AbbVie, Baxter, BD, CVS, Google, Integra, and Sanofi.
As the situation evolves, Direct Relief will continue to monitor the impact and remains ready to support response efforts as needed.
