The Kincade Fire more than doubled its size yesterday as winds reached nearly 100 miles per hour in Sonoma County. Currently, more than 66,000 acres have been affected — 96 structures (including 49 homes) have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced.
Additionally, millions of Californians had no power Sunday as Pacific Gas and Electric Co. implemented a colossal blackout to prevent wildfires during a fierce windstorm.
Sonoma County is not yet in the clear, with just under 80,000 homes threatened by the massive blaze. An estimated 185,000 people have been evacuated, and with more winds in the forecast for later this week, there is no estimate on when many of them will be able to return to their homes.
To help people stay informed, the state of California has launched a website that offers information on fire conditions, power outages, and health concerns at Response.ca.gov.
If you are wondering what you can do to help out, there are a variety of organizations, in Sonoma County and San Francisco, that can use your help.
Sonoma County Resilience Fund, which was first established in 2017 by the Community Foundation of Sonoma County to support recovery efforts from the North Bay Firestorm. To donate to the Sonoma County Residence fund, go to its website here.
United Way of the Wine Country has created a Kincade Fire Emergency Relief & Recovery Fund. All gifts and donations made on the fund's website will be directed to that fund.
You can also go to the Red Cross website, call 1-800 RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
To provide support for animals, you can donate to 4 animal welfare and rescue funds on Sonoma County's website.
Via Twitter, San Francisco DEM, the official profile for the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, said the best way to support disaster victims is with a financial donation. For more information on how to donate or volunteer go to SoCoEmergency.org.
How can you help people impacted by the #KincadeFire?The best way to support disaster victims is with a financial donation. Food, clothing and household items are not being accepted at this time. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit https://t.co/sTXycmvYwW pic.twitter.com/zxUTrp3cUA
— San Francisco DEM (@SF_emergency) October 28, 2019
Many local businesses and organizations in San Francisco and Oakland are also stepping up to support those who lost their belongings and homes. Here's how you can help at the local level.
World Central Kitchen, a disaster relief effort founded by Chef Jose Andreas, provides free food in disaster relief situations. Local celebrity chef Tyler Florence tweeted today that if you're in Northern California and would like to volunteer for the relief effort, you can sign up by contacting him on Twitter:
#KincadeFire update: We served just under 6000 meals today with @WCKitchen here at the Sonoma Fairgrounds. DM me if you want to volunteer anytime this week. We would prefer kitchen experience, but if you have a strong back and can handle a knife, we’ll take you. pic.twitter.com/4Ubo9asjvg
— Tyler Florence (@TylerFlorence) October 28, 2019
YOGA BBQ Volleyball + Fundraising for Kincade Fire (Park Merced and Community Gardens at 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl.) is planning an event for the displaced, which will involve a guided meditative walk around the community garden, a BBQ (Potluck + Tea + Picnic + BYOB), a playground (children optional), and more. The event is November 2. The event is free, and organizers are asking for donations. You can find more information on their Facebook event page.
Love on Haight (1400 Haight St.) is taking donations for the Kincade Fire as well as setting up a room-available list at the shop. In a Facebook post, Sunshine Powers said that for donations, they will only accept nonperishable food as well as any new items (no used clothes or used items).
However, Powers asks that those who are interested in donating not call the shop, and instead just pull up on the Masonic side of the shop to drop items off.
Last but not least, cannabis store Sparc is accepting donations at any of its locations (1256 Mission St., 473 Haight St., and Love Shack 502 14th St.). It is accepting non-perishable foods, toiletries and pet food.
Additionally, Sparc is providing help to cannabis companies who are displaced by the fire. Sparc can be contacted directly at 707-839-8799 for equipment storage and more.
If you know of any other local businesses that are helping to raise funds/donations for Kincade fire victims, feel free to post in the comments' section.
