The American Red Cross of Wisconsin has deployed 16 responders, including five volunteers and three employees, to assist with relief efforts in California during the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. Nearly 900 evacuees were sheltered by the Red Cross as of Monday morning.
The fires continue to escalate, and the Red Cross predicts that more individuals will be impacted as the situation develops.
Audrey Erdmann, a disaster program manager from the American Red Cross, is on the ground in Pasadena, where nearly 500 people are seeking help.
Many evacuees are anxiously watching news coverage, hoping not to see their homes damaged or destroyed.
Erdmann explained that recovery could take months or even years, with the Red Cross committed to providing ongoing support through the process.
As California faces massive destruction, the Red Cross is urging people in Wisconsin to support relief efforts through financial donations or blood donations.
With local blood drives being canceled in California due to evacuations, blood donations are urgently needed.
The Red Cross emphasizes that recovery is an individualized process, with each person requiring different forms of assistance. Efforts will continue as long as needed, with additional volunteers expected to be deployed.