Finding ways to help from afar after natural disasters, like the Los Angeles fires, isn’t always easy.
Despite the best of intentions, people can sometimes do more harm than good by overwhelming local organizations with unnecessary donations or unknowingly hinder relief efforts by making uninformed decisions about the best way to donate or volunteer.
Then there are scams. Post-disaster chaos is a prime location for fraudsters to set up fake crowdfunding campaigns or use the situation for nefarious purposes, siphoning off much-needed donations from well-intentioned people.
If you are looking for ways to help the victims and recovery efforts of the LA fires, here is a helpful guide on how to find reliable resources. We have also provided best practices for navigating the situation online.
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Find out where you can donate
Considered one of the most devastating fires in the history of Los Angeles, there is a huge number of people who need help, and subsequently, a lot of information about their needs, leading to confusion about how to help.
If you are trying to sift through this mountain of information about things to do, start by researching proven and reliable organizations that work on the ground so that the money or goods you donate go to the right places. Look into local and state government and nonprofit sites that offer vetted services.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and California’s official website have regular updates on what is needed and where to donate. For monetary donations, the LAFD lists its firefighting supplies foundation, the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army as options. LAFD also links to LAworks.com which supports local Los Angeles nonprofits with volunteer opportunities and resources.
California’s official website, CA.gov also has a list of organizations vetted for financial donations and volunteer opportunities through the California Volunteer Department Manager’s Office.
The Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network (MALAN), a center for mutual aid efforts and resources, has a regularly updated database of local organizations and information on their requests and volunteer needs.
If you’re looking to directly help individuals and families displaced by the fires, GoFundMe has a dedicated fundraising campaign section verified by the site’s Trust and Safety team.
The Pasadena Humane Society is no longer accepting pet donations, but still needs monetary donations, which can be made here.
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Find out how you can best contribute and what these organizations need
While doing your research, look carefully and regularly at what other organizations are doing don’t do it the need. The LAFD urges people not to drop off donations at fire stations and shelters, because it “affects the critical operations of these first responders.” Similarly, the City of Pasadena declared on X that it was “overwhelmed by the amount [of food and other basic supplies] and we are no longer accepting additional donations.”
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Organizations often specify what materials are required. Used clothing or used/opened packages of food and toiletries may not always be accepted. MALAN, an LA-based charity network, has been providing real-time, detailed information on what each donation drive needs and whether they are accepting volunteers.
On that note, there is an incentive to appear in the organization’s door ready to enter. However, training volunteers often requires time and effort that could be better spent elsewhere. during an ongoing disaster like the LA fires. So double check their sites and social media accounts for updates on how to best volunteer your time or resources. Sometimes the most needed resource is just money.
Share reliable information
As emotions run high and social media does its usual thing, misinformation thrives during crises like the LA fires.
When firefighting efforts in the Pacific Palisades ran out of water, rumors that it was caused by broken fire hoses prompted the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to set the record straight. The fire hydrants were not broken, it was because of the “unprecedented and excessive need for water to fight the fire without air support.”
Viral satellite images of the burning Altadena don’t actually show the fire, infrared imaging shows heat maps of the fire. So although the destruction is real, it is not what the fire looked like to the physical eye.
Meanwhile, fact-checking sites like Snopes and Politifact have been busy debunking false looting claims, misleading claims about budget cuts, and finger-pointing at politicians.
Now is a great time to study social media more closely, and think twice before reposting or sharing something online. Ask yourself if the post looks like rage-bait, about the actual source of the information, and if you have enough context for the stories you’re reading.
A great technique for quickly evaluating online information you might want to share is the SIFT method, developed by digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield. SIFT is an acronym that stands for 1. Stop, 2. Investigate the source, 3. Find the best coverage, and 4. Track claims, quotes, and media in original context.
At the very least, be aware of what information you believe, and re-share, from your social media feed.
Beware of scams
Scammers prey on people at times like these by exploiting their emotional investment and exploiting the urgency and gravity of the situation. Besides luring people to donate to fake fundraising campaigns, scammers also attack, targeting people with phishing calls, texts, emails and direct messages on social media.
With social engineering, they may not even directly ask for money, but tease sensitive information from you, such as contact information and passwords, under the guise of needing help or offering help. If you’re giving outside of official channels, like sending money through Venmo or sending things to someone, it’s best to go through trusted networks of people you know or can vouch for.
If you think someone is trying to scam you, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have some tips. Get some information about a charity that you can research and verify and don’t give them money or personal information until you verify the organization.
Scammers will often emphasize the urgency of the situation and try to get you to donate immediately. But legitimate charities will have websites with secure donation portals, so if it’s a real organization you can always check it out and donate later.
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