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Southern California Fires - 2007

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How to Help California Fire Survivors

California Fires of October 2007 have already caused untold damage, displacing more than a million people and causing over a billion in losses. You can help the survivors of the fires by donating cash to help in funding relief efforts.

FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Agency) is urging those who want to help those affected by the fires to make cash donations (rather than goods or other items) to nonprofit organizations that are active in disaster work.

So far the fires have burned nearly 500,000 acres and destroyed roughly 1,800 homes, mostly in San Diego County. The property damage in San Diego County alone has surpassed $2 billion. The California Wildfires have been declared a Federal Disaster Area.

The Southern California Fires are the first natural disaster on the scale of Hurricane Katrina to occur since that storm hit in 2005.

Photo Source:
Kevin Labianco. Santiago Wildfire. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.

Southern California Fires Lens

Major sections
  1. Official Information from State Agencies and the Governor's Office
  2. Things That Can Be Done While Living Through A Crisis
  3. Where to Donate for the Survivors of the California Fires
  4. Save the Children Supporting California Fire Efforts
  5. Helping Animal Survivors of the California Fires
  6. How Technology is Being Used to Fight the Fires
  7. SquidAid and Squidoo Fire Aid - Ways to Help on Squidoo
  8. Music for Relief Efforts

The Latest News on the California Fires

Information and RSS News updates on the California Fires.
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CaliforniaWildfires.org

CaliforniaWildfires.org is a central source for all the information scattered far and wide about the Southern California fires.

Firefighters and other first respondents nationwide use CaliforniaWildfires.org so they can volunteer their services. The website has emergency information for those affected, and centralizes the many articles found all over the internet.

Anyone can submit a posting asking for or offering help. Anyone anywhere can come to one place and find what they need and offer what they have.

Websites for Updates on the California Fires

Various sources for updates from the Governor's office, State Departments and Federal Departments on the California Fires.
Cal Fire - Fire Incidents Updates
From the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection a listing of current fire incidents and the status of the fire.
Cal Fire - Official Announcements from the Governor
From the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection a listing of announcements and press releases.
Battling California's Wildfires
More information from the Governor's office on the Southern California Fire Report.
Executive Order to Assist Wildfire Victims in Recovery Efforts
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced an executive order directing state agencies to take numerous actions to help the victims of the southern California fires get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
FEMA: California Wildfires
California has been declared a federal disaster area.
FEMA: Federal Response to the California Wildfires
A look at FEMA's response to the California Wildfires.

More Websites with Information on the Fire

American Red Cross: Disaster Services Profile: Southern California Wildfires
The Red Cross page for the Southern California Wildfires. Includes information on How to Get Help, Finding Missing Loved Ones, How to Support the Relief Efforts and Additional Resources.
San Diego County Emergency Homepage
Firestorm Recovery Information from San Diego County Emergency.

Santiago Fire

A larger image of the Santiago Fire. The photograph was was taken looking northward from Lake Mission Viejo.

Photo Source: Kevin Labianco.
Santiago Wildfire. Some Rights Reserved. Creative Commons.

Donations - Money is Better than Goods

The Federal Emergency Management Agency urged people who want to help those affected by the fires to make cash donations to nonprofit organizations that are active in disaster work.

Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts.

For these reasons, the Red Cross and other agencies are generally not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.

Larger businesses who want to donate goods need to contact the specific agencies to see if they will accept goods.

Sources: Red Cross Site, FEMA site
Image: Modified Microsoft Image.

Red Cross has Met the Costs of the California Wildfire.

Thanks to the generosity of the American public, the American Red Cross has essentially met the costs of the California wildfires. They still encourage donations for the National Disaster Relief Fund.
American Red Cross: California Wildfires
Thanks to the tremendous compassion shown to the residents of Southern California by our generous supporters, the American Red Cross was able to swiftly and successfully meet the needs of one of the largest evacuations in California history. You can continue to support future disaster relief efforts by donating to the Disaster Relief Fund. Generous gifts to this fund enable the Red Cross to provide food, shelter and counseling to the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year.

This fund ensures, just as it did in Southern California, that help is immediately available in every community across the United States.

Where Can I Donate?

The California Community Foundation and/or the San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007 are my suggested recipients, since the Red Cross has already met their costs for the California Fires.

These foundations focus not only on the immediate needs of the Survivors, but also on the long-term ones.
California Community Foundation
Donors may contribute to the Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund administered by the foundation to support intermediate and long term recovery efforts with a particular focus on needy populations and nonprofits serving the affected areas.

**The foundation will match the first $250,000 in contributions to the Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund and waive administrative fees to ensure all donations will be used for relief activities.

The San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007
The San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007 was opened on Sunday, October 21, 2007, to receive donations for making emergency grants to first responders and other nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster response, recovery and rebuilding.

Links for Donating to the California Fires

California Community Foundation
Donors may contribute to the Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund administered by the foundation to support intermediate and long term recovery efforts with a particular focus on needy populations and nonprofits serving the affected areas. The foundation will match the first $250,000 in contributions to the Southern California Wildfire Relief Fund and waive administrative fees to ensure all donations will be used for relief activities.
The San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007
The San Diego Foundation's After-the-Fires Fund 2007 was opened on Sunday, October 21, 2007, to receive donations for making emergency grants to first responders and other nonprofit service organizations engaged in disaster response, recovery and rebuilding.
Salvation Army Continues California Wildfire Response
In the first few hours of the 2007 San Diego wildfires, The Salvation Army began serving meals and beverages, offering emotional and spiritual support, as well as dispensing hygiene items to first responders and evacuees.
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Information on the San Diego Fire Animal Rescue from the San Diego Humane Society.
Sierra Del Mar: Southern California Fires - How You Can Help
Donate to the San Diego Salvation Army to help survivors of the San Diego Wildfires.
American Red Cross: Disaster Services Southern California Fire
The Red Cross page for the Southern California Wildfires. Includes information on How to Get Help, Finding Missing Loved Ones, How to Support the Relief Efforts and Additional Resources.
American Red Cross: California Wildfires
A link for donating to the American Red Cross' California Wildfire fund.
Where to turn for more fire info California Wildfires
A host of federal, state and local government agencies and other organizations are providing information related to the California wildfires. Here is a list of online resources from MSNBC.com.
Southern California Wildfires | ARC Sacramento
Updates with Northern California's Red Cross Efforts to assist survivors of the Southern California Fires.

A Squidoo Lenses on Helping You Donate Safely

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Save the Children Supports California Fire Efforts


One of the organizations that we have a chance designate as a lens beneficiary is Save the Children. You can find out more about what this charity is doing to help children impacted by the fire on their website.
Save the Children: Helping Children in Poverty & Children in Need
Save the Children is an independent, non profit charity helping children in need by creating lasting change to end child poverty around the world and in the U.S.
Save the Children Helps Children Impacted by California Wildfires and Seeks Public Support for Response
Save the Children is calling on the public to support efforts to assist children and families affected by the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
Save the Children Partners with American Red Cross to Serve California Children
Thanks to a unique partnership between Save the Children and the American Red Cross, many of California's wildfire evacuation shelters were equipped with safe play areas that have allowed children to play, participate in structured activities and interact with other children in a secure environment.

Tell Congress: Protect Kids When Disasters Strike

Senate Bill 1970 The Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 addresses the failure of our disaster management system to adequately respond to the unique needs of children.
Take Action: Tell Congress: Protect Kids When Disasters Strike
A letter that you can send to your Senators urging them to support the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007 (S.1970) and create a National Commission on Children and Disasters.
S. 1970: Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act of 2007
A bill in the U.S. Congress: A bill to establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters, a National Resource Center on Children and Disasters, and for other purposes.

21 Things To Do While Living Through A Crisis

AAETS Response to the Southern California Wildfires

The following article comes from Dr. Mark Lerner, Chairman of the National Center for Crisis Management and the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic stress. It was written in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and remains as a helpful resource in any sudden natural disaster.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all people impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California.

The following are 21 Things You Can Do While You're Living Through This Crisis:
  1. Take immediate action to ensure your physical safety and the safety of others. If it's possible, remove yourself from the event/scene in order to avoid further traumatic exposure.
  2. Address your acute medical needs (e.g., If you're having difficulty breathing, experiencing chest pains or palpitations, seek immediate medical attention).
  3. Find a safe place that offers shelter, water, food and sanitation.
  4. Become aware of how the event is affecting you (i.e., your feelings, thoughts, actions-and your physical and spiritual reactions).
  5. Know that your reactions are normal responses to an abnormal event. You are not "losing it" or "going crazy." It's okay not to be okay, right now.
  6. Speak with your physician or health care provider and make him/her aware of what has happened to you.
  7. Be aware of how you're holding-up when there are children around you. Children will take their cues from the adults around them.
  8. Try to obtain information. Knowing the facts about what has happened will help you to keep functioning.
  9. If possible, surround yourself with family and loved ones. Realize that the event is likely affecting them, too.
  10. Tell your story. And allow yourself to feel. It's okay not to be okay during a traumatic experience.
  11. You may experience a desire to withdraw and isolate, causing a strain on significant others. Resist the urge to shut down and retreat into your own world.
  12. Traumatic stress may compromise your ability to think clearly. If you find it difficult to concentrate when someone is speaking to you, focus on the specific words they are saying-work to actively listen. Slow down the conversation and try repeating what you have just heard.
  13. Don't make important decisions when you're feeling overwhelmed. Allow trusted family members or friends to assist you with necessary decision-making.
  14. If stress is causing you to react physically, use controlled breathing techniques to stabilize yourself.
    Take a slow deep breath by inhaling through your nose, hold your breath for 5 seconds and then exhale through your mouth. Upon exhalation, think the words "relax," "let go," or "I'm handling this." Repeat this process several times.
  15. Realize that repetitive thinking and sleep difficulties are normal reactions. Don't fight the sleep difficulty.
    Try the following: Eliminate caffeine for 4 hours prior to your bedtime, create the best sleep environment you can, consider taking a few moments before turning out the lights to write down your thoughts-thus emptying your mind.
  16. Give yourself permission to rest, relax and engage in non-threatening activity. Read, listen to music, consider taking a warm bath, etc.
  17. Physical exercise may help to dissipate the stress energy that has been generated by your experience. Take a walk, ride a bike, or swim.
  18. Create a journal. Writing about your experience may help to expose yourself to painful thoughts and feelings and, ultimately, enable you to assimilate your experience.
  19. If you find that your experience is too powerful, allow yourself the advantage of professional and/or spiritual guidance, support and education.
  20. Try to maintain your schedule. Traumatic events will disrupt the sense of normalcy. We are all creatures of habit. By maintaining our routines, we can maintain a sense of control at a time when circumstances may lead us to feel a loss of control.
  21. Crises present opportunities. Cultivate a mission and purpose. Seize the energy from your experience and use it to propel you to set realistic goals, make decisions and take action.

More Squidoo Lenses for Coping with Loss & Grief

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More Resources for Coping with Natural Disasters

A collection of other resources from agencies that may be useful for those adults and children coping with the fire disaster.
Mental Health America: Coping with Disaster
General information for Coping with Disasters.
Coping with the Stress of Natural Diasters
From Mental Health America information for those trying to make sense of what happened and deal with the stress of the situation.
Coping with Disasters
From Medline Plus resources for Coping with Disaster.
Common Reactions After Trauma
From the National Center for PTSD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs a fact sheet with information on the Common Reactions After Trauma Following a traumatic event.
FEMA: Coping with Disaster
Information from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) on Coping with Disaster.
Helping Children Handle Disaster-related Anxiety
From Mental Health America resources for helping children handle natural disasters.
How to Help Children Cope with the California Wildfires: Ten Tips from Save the Children
10 tips to help adults support children through times of crisis from Save the Children.
Helping Children Cope With Loss
From Mental Health America information on helping children cope with loss.

Helping Animal Survivors of the California Fires

Rescuers Respond to Calls for Help After California Fires
More than 350 horses have been provided temporary shelter here at a place called Lakeside Rodeo - an evacuation center established by San Diego County Animal Services and staffed by Disaster Services responders from The Humane Society of the United States.
Teams Help Shelter, Rescue Animals in California
The HSUS Disaster Services team has ramped up its response to the wildfire emergency in southern California, operating around the clock to rescue, shelter, and provide veterinary care to hundreds of animals.
HSUS Brings Animals to Safety, Shelter
Updates from the Humane Society of the United States' Disaster Services teams on the evacuated animals from the California Fires

Support HSUS with Stamps

Available on Zazzle


Your purchase of the specially created HSUS postage for disaster relief can help fund their work and add a special touch to all your mail.
Support HSUS with Stamps on Zazzle
Special stamps to support the Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization.

Google Map for the San Diego Witch Creek and Harris Fires



This is an image of the San Diego Witch Creek and Harris Fires. To access the interactive version for updates, click to View Larger Map.

Google Maps Aiding People and Fire Fighters in the Southern California Fires

Official Google Blog: Southern California fire maps
The Official Google Blog for the California fires. The blog includes links to the Google Maps that have been developed to help people and fire fighters manage the fires.

Google Map Created of the Grass Valley Fire 2007



This is an image of the Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley lake fires. To access the interactive version for updates, click to View Larger Map.

Using Technology to Help with the California Fires

Telstar Logistics: Ultimate Mashup: NASA's Predator UAV and Google Earth Join Forces to Fight Fires in California
A look at how Google Maps is being used to help in fighting the fires.
Google Maps & Twitter Are Essential Information Resources For California Fires
Information Week writers blog on some of the Internet technology being used to help with the California Fires.
Technology: Web 2.0: Spreading Vital Info Amid Calif. Firestorms
From Technology News a look at how the Internet is being used to help get information out with the California Fires.
Technology's pipeline becomes lifeline for fire victims - USATODAY.com
Technology is proving crucial as Southern California residents fight raging wildfires. They're using text messages, video, blogs, Google maps and databases to describe the chaos, find missing people and share strategies.

California Fires Seen on Google Earth on Flickr

Satellite image taken from Google Earth with USDA Forest Service's MODIS combined with an Active Fire Mapping Program overlay showing fire reports.

Southern California wildfires 2007 - satellite photo by Derek K. Miller
curated content from Flickr

The Latest on California Fire Relief Efforts

Watch for Fund raisers to aid the Southern California fire survivors.
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SquidAid and Squidoo Fire Aid - Ways to Help on Squidoo

After working with the Squidoo Elite, Headquarters and several of the Giant Squid Lensmasters, we have come up with a way for all interested Squidoo lensmasters to create lens pages that support the Survivors of Disaster and the Southern California Fire Survivors.

SquidAid, SquidAid Group and the Squidoo Fire Aid have been developed as ways for lensmasters to donate a bit of time and "Aid Survivors" and "Make Lenses."

SquidAid generates royalties for the Squidoo Charity Fund.

The Squidoo Fire Aid Challenge generates funds for the Squidoo Charity Fund as well as for Save the Children and the Humane Society, two organizations that have been directly contributing to the California Wildfire Relief efforts.

Ultimately the purpose of both SquidAid and the Squidoo Fire Aid is to "Enable the Squidoo Community to Use the Internet and Aid Survivors of Disaster by Making Lenses."

SquidAid and Squidoo Fire Aid Challenge

Aid Survivors * Make Lenses

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SquidAid Response from the Squidoo Charity Fund

Megan just posted the results of the Squidoo Charity Fund:

    Our Squidoo Charity Fund, which is entirely stocked by royalty donations from lensmasters, recently sent tens of thousands of dollars to these inspiring, upstanding orgs:

    MyTwoFrontTeeth
    Donors Choose
    A Day of Hope
    ** California Community Foundation **
    Steve's Club
    Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

    So, a loud and hearty thanks to the lensmasters who made that possible.
The California Community Foundation was the recipient of the SquidAid efforts. In addition to the $1,000 from the Charity Fund that was donated directly to the Relief Efforts for the fire victims a portion of the $10,000 raised from the Squidoo Charity Fund was also donated for Survivors of the August California Fire Storm.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of the lensmasters that helped us raise funds and get the SquidAid concept in place.

Other Squidoo Lenses on the California Fires

San Diego Fire
This lens is provided to help our neighbors who are coping with the devastating fires now raging through San Diego County. Our hearts and prayers are with those who are fighting the fires, those who have evacuated their homes, those who have lost their homes, and those who are frightened during this difficult time.
Orange County Fires
Wildfires of California of October 2007 is series of wildfires that began to burn through southern California of October the 20, forcing the evacuation of approximately 900,000 residents, although the real total can be lower. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed and around 500,000 acres (km² 2,000).
San Bernardino Fires - Mountain Area
Links to sites with best info for residents and other's concerned about the fires raging the California mountains above San Bernadino. Very basic.

Music for Relief Efforts


Music For Relief is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to victims of natural disasters and the prevention of such disasters. Since its inception in 2005, Music for Relief has raised over $2 million for the victims of the tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia and hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Music for Relief
Music for Relief is teaming up with Unite the United to launch an eBay auction on Monday 11/5 including autographed items from Linkin Park, Madonna, Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Eagles, as well as VIP ticket packages.

Latest News on the California Malibu Fires

Information and RSS News updates on the California Fires.
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California Fires on YouTube

Fires Overwhelm California
by CBS | video info

30 ratings | 37,623 views
automatically generated by YouTube

Latest News on San Diego Fires

Information and RSS News updates on the California Fires.
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Lens of the Day - November 1, 2007

Southern California Fires

My purpose in creating the lens was to get information out for those impacted by the Southern California Fires, the first natural disaster on the scale of Hurricane Katrina to occur since 2005.

I am honored (and a bit surprised) that the site was chosen as a "Lens of the Day" for November 1, 2007.

Southern California Fires Lens - Lens of the Day

Squidoo Lens of the Day - Blog Archive - The California Wildfires
The California Wildfires - I'm amazed by how many lensmasters have made compassionate and info-rich lenses on the California fires.
The Official Lens of the Day Group! Headquarters
The Official LENS OF THE DAY Group! Every weekday (except when we're out diving with cephalopods) The SquidTeam selects a Lens of the Day. A lens that stands out from the crowd, a lens that is unique or especially timely in topic, approach, use, or personality.

Recipient of the All4Care Award

The Southern California Fire Lens is a recipient of the All4Care award, an award for a Lens or Lensmaster who is doing outstanding work for charity.

This award is sponsored by Janusz Biela.

Reader Feedback on How to Help with the California Fires

Your place for feedback, comments and suggestions

Do you know of other resources that should be included?

  • LewesDE Feb 17, 2012 @ 12:33 pm | delete
    This is a well put together lens!
  • bspilner Feb 6, 2008 @ 9:10 am | delete
    You have done a great job on your lens and an authentic design. Highly informative
  • mr0801 Feb 6, 2008 @ 6:02 am | delete
    Wow. You did your home work. A
  • Tinks8 Dec 18, 2007 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    there goes your 23rd stars! interesting lens thanks
  • Tupperwarestorage Nov 7, 2007 @ 6:58 pm | delete
    Tupperware is donating 100% of the profit from sales of the "Heartbeat Sandwich Keeper" to the American Red Cross for the California Wildfire victims. Please go to my website and see www.my.tupperware.com/kdurbin
  • durrob Nov 2, 2007 @ 5:39 pm | delete
    Timely info, congrats on lens of the day.
  • Comfortdoc Nov 2, 2007 @ 2:41 pm | delete
    Thanks to all for your comments. I am glad to see that the research and information will be coming in handy.
  • Candice_Lee Nov 2, 2007 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    This is a great lens Kirsti! We have relatives out there who had to evacuate but thank goodness their house is OK.
    We experienced fires in southern Colorado a few years back. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone!
  • Rick_Selles Nov 2, 2007 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    I sure knows it takes a lot of time to put up this beautiful lens. I have been following several links and it is sad to see how bad the situation is.
    My son is coming to California next year to study on campus so my (European) interst is greater then normal. I wish everyone involved strenght!
  • chas7 Nov 2, 2007 @ 11:09 am | delete
    Great lens. Hopefully this will help wake people up to take the steps needed to prevent future fires like these. Thanks.
  • Janusz Nov 2, 2007 @ 8:24 am | delete
    Not only did you win the All4Care Award! LOTD aswell :) Well deserved.. brilliant Lens.
  • Christopher_Scott Nov 2, 2007 @ 8:10 am | delete
    I live in Northern California and I'm glad that you have created this lens to highlight ways people can help.
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Benefiting Save the Children and the Squidoo Charity Fund

This lens benefits Save the Children, one of the organizations supporting California Fire Relief Efforts, and our own Squidoo Charity Fund.

by

SquidooLibris

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a native Californian, a physician, an expert in life challenges, grief, loss & bereavement, professional health educator... more »

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