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Americares Responds to California Wildfire

  • August 01, 2018
  • Firefighter crews battle the Carr Fire. Photo by REUTERS/Fred Greaves
  • US Disasters
Workers at Americares distribution center in Stamford, Conn., prepare a shipment of relief supplies for survivors of the California Carr Fire.

Workers at Americares distribution center in Stamford, Conn., prepare a shipment of relief supplies for survivors of the California Carr Fire.

Stamford, Conn. – August 1, 2018 – Americares is preparing an emergency shipment of relief supplies for families displaced by the catastrophic Carr Fire in California. The fire, which started more than a week ago, has claimed six lives and scorched over 112,000 acres, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee as homes and businesses burn to the ground. Americares is working with a local health center in Redding, Calif., to provide N95 respirator masks, hygiene kits and first aid supplies for survivors.

“Right now, our number one priority is meeting survivors’ most immediate needs,” said Americares Vice President of Emergency Programs Kate Dischino. “This shipment of relief supplies will help families take the necessary precautions to protect their health in a time of crisis.”

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection the fire is 30 percent contained. It is one of the most destructive fires in the state’s history, destroying nearly 1,000 homes across Northern California. The Carr Fire is one of several uncontained wildfires raging in California as the state deals with brutal temperatures and dry conditions.

Americares has professional relief workers ready to respond to disasters at a moment’s notice and stocks emergency medicine and supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in times of crisis. The organization has a long history of responding to emergencies in the U.S., including Hurricanes Sandy, Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Joplin tornado, and the 2017 California wildfires.

The health-focused relief and development organization responds to an average of 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings disaster preparedness programs to vulnerable communities.