Direct Relief Responds as Wildfires Burn in Northern California

The map above details evacuation patterns as a result of the Carr Fire near Redding, California, on Monday, July 30, 2018. The lighter gray squares show areas of lower population, while the darker pink squares show areas of higher population, revealing where people have evacuated, away from the fire, which is outlined in red. The Shasta Community Health Center, a Direct Relief partner facility, is also shown here. This data was derived from Facebook's Disaster Maps tool, which shares aggregated insights from the Facebook platform with NGOs working in disaster response. (Map by Andrew Schroeder/Direct Relief)

By Lara Cooper

August 1, 2018

Firefighters are battling multiple fires throughout California, including the Carr Fire in Northern California, where the blaze has charred nearly 100,000 acres since it broke out on July 23.

That fire is burning near Redding, about 150 miles north of Sacramento. At least six people have been killed and seven remain missing, according to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.

The monstrous Carr Fire, burning in Shasta County, California, has engulfed almost 100,000 acres. Live updates: https://t.co/ob883rr35C pic.twitter.com/MNjJGLfZNp

— CNN (@CNN) July 30, 2018

Direct Relief has reached out to more than two dozen healthcare partners in the surrounding areas to offer assistance, and has also been in communication with the California Department of Health, as well as 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, and shipped 1,000 N-95 masks, along with personal care items for evacuees, to the Lake County Health Department. Another 2,400 N-95 masks were also sent to Shasta County’s Health and Human Services Agency.

Shipping 2,400 N-95 masks to Shasta County's Health and Human Services Agency in response to the #CarrFire. pic.twitter.com/DSuC5D8iJK

— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) August 2, 2018

Beyond the threat from high temperatures, wildfires can exacerbate chronic health issues such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems. For those with such conditions, fires deal a harsh combination of smoke, dust and other particulates in the air.

The Carr Fire is one of several wildfires burning throughout California currently. Direct Relief stands ready to assist with those responses and will continue to monitor the impacts.

The River Fire burns in Lake County, California, and the blaze has prompted many to evacuate the area. Several fires have erupted across the state, exacerbated by high temperatures and low humidity. (Photo courtesy of Judy Fletcher)