GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A team of Red Cross volunteers from Michigan is making its way to southern California to help people who have been impacted by destructive wildfires in the area.
Four volunteers headed out Sunday to help with emergency shelters, equipment distribution and family reunification for people who were separated by the wildfires. Four other volunteers are helping with family reunification virtually from Michigan, the American Red Cross said in a Sunday news release.
Over 300 Red Cross disaster workers are helping provide critical services in Southern California. Some of those volunteers have been directly impacted by the wildfires, the Red Cross said.
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The organization said financial donations also help. To donate, you can visit redcross.org, call 1.800.RED.CROSS (733.2767) or text CAWILDFIRES to 90999.
Fire first broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, about 20 miles from Los Angeles, Tuesday. Since then, more fires have popped up — the Eaton fire in the hills above Altadena and the Hurst fire in the northern San Fernando Valley, which are still burning. The wildfires have destroyed buildings and forced people to evacuate their homes and businesses. Sixteen people have died, WOOD TV8’s sister station in Los Angeles, KTLA, reports …