Multiple fast-moving fires continue to burn and spread in Southern California, with extensive drought and significant Santa Ana winds combining to expand fires rapidly, with little-to-no containment. We will not know the full impact until the fires are under control and extinguished. In the meantime, Week of Compassion is in close contact with Regional leadership in the Pacific Southwest Region, the regional Disaster Response Team, state and county VOADs, and local pastors in the area.
At present, it is predicted that these fires in Los Angeles could be the costliest in US history. The fires have caused at least 10 confirmed fatalities, and efforts are ongoing to reunify separated families and identify missing persons. Estimates as of Friday morning suggest that more than 10,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and at various times hundreds of thousands of residents have received evacuation orders or warnings.
We are aware of several Disciples clergy and church members who are under evacuation orders, with many others on alert and prepared to evacuate when directed to do so. We know of at least two Disciples households that have lost their homes. Week of Compassion is responding to these needs and will continue to work with congregations in the affected areas to assist Disciples and to support them as they serve their neighbors.
The Region, along with several local congregations, is connected with SoCal VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and the county VOAD organizations. As Rev. Norm Williams of the regional Disaster Response Team notes, “What is amazing is all of these [government and nonprofit] agencies day in and day out are doing great work meeting the needs of very diverse neighborhoods.” These strong partnerships will be critical to the local response.
ENLA, the Los Angeles County VOAD, has reiterated to partners the preference for donations of cash rather than material goods, as needs continue to shift. Individuals local to Southern California who are interested in volunteering can register at LAWorks.com to be connected with local organizations in need of extra hands. With fires still uncontained and water systems under severe pressure or unusable, outside volunteers currently are more hindrance than help.
There is extensive news and social media coverage of all these events, and we encourage Disciples to listen and watch carefully and with great discernment. Week of Compassion is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to share updates and ways to respond as reliable information and clear needs emerge. Existing partners from past fires in the area have already begun coordinating to prepare for the long-term recovery and rebuilding.
Week of Compassion is grateful to serve on behalf of and alongside Disciples, ready to respond to emergent needs, while fervently committed to the work of long-term recovery and restoration. We anticipate significant response needs, both in this immediate term and in the weeks and months of recovery ahead.
To support the communities impacted by these devastating fires, please make a gift to Week of Compassion, designated for “California Wildfires 2025.” 100% of your contribution will go directly to assist disaster-affected communities, both in immediate relief efforts and in ongoing recovery.