Smoke Clears as California Wildfires Move Closer to Containment

N-95 masks left Direct Relief's warehouse bound for the Santa Rosa Community Health Center on October 25, when the Kincade Fire was creating air quality issues for residents. As firefighters work to fully contain the blazes, air quality has improved this week. (Lara Cooper/Direct Relief)

Firefighters across California are working to fully contain wildfires as many evacuees return to their homes for the first time in weeks.

More than 186,000 residents in Sonoma County, where the Kincade Fire is now at 80 percent containment, were previously under evacuation orders but have now been allowed to return to their neighborhoods. In Southern California, the Getty, Easy and Maria Fires are all at 80 percent containment or higher.

After weeks of smoky air in many communities, many are breathing easier as air quality improves and skies begin to clear.

More than two dozen separate deliveries of medical aid and supplies have been made over the past weeks in response to the fires. More than 140,000 N-95 masks have been distributed across the state, along with respiratory medications and oxygen concentrators, back-up power systems, hygiene kits, and Emergency Medical Backpacks, which contain medicines and supplies commonly used in a disaster setting.

Direct Relief will continue to monitor the fires as they reach full containment and respond to medical requests as needed.

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