MARIPOSA, CA (July 27, 2022) – American Red Cross disaster workers are working around the clock to support evacuees of the Oak Fire, California’s largest wildfire in 2022 to date. At one point, over 3000 Mariposa County residents were under evacuation orders. As the fires containment is growing several shelter residents are beginning to make their return home.
More than 45 trained Red Cross disaster workers are working with local response officials to provide safe shelter, warm meals, and critical relief supplies, including hygiene items, to the dozens of people at Mariposa Elementary School. Since Friday, we have provided 213 overnight stays, nearly 3,000 meals, and snacks, and are providing individual care to help people with medical or disability needs, as well as emotional and spiritual support during these challenging times.
Responding to a disaster of this size is a team effort, and we will continue to work closely with the entire response community — government agencies, community groups, and others — to coordinate emergency relief and recovery efforts in the days and weeks to come.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
DONATE: You can help people affected by disasters like fires and countless other crises by donating to support Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
- Visit redcross.org, call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. For those interested in helping people specifically affected by wildfires across the west, we ask that they write “western wildfires” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or their local Red Cross chapter.
VOLUNTEER: We need more volunteers to be ready to respond to these potential disasters. Will you join us and help provide relief and hope to someone affected by an emergency? If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services volunteer, these are our most-needed disaster volunteer positions: redcross.org/volunteertoday
With the 2022 California wildfire season in full swing, it is essential to know what steps you and your loved ones should take to help keep you safe before, during, and after disasters.
RETURNING HOME AFTER A WILDFIRE As mandatory evacuations begin to lift, Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.
- Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.
- Check your home for embers that could cause fires. Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.
- Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles, and wires.
- Keep a close eye on your animals. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.
- Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.
- Wear work gloves and shoes with heavy soles.
- Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
- You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
Find information on wildfire safety here.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters feed and provide comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/centralcalifornia or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCCR.
