When, in the fall of 2017, we posted on 7x7 about how to aid the victims of the fires in and around Wine Country, we couldn't have imagined that, just one year later, a different fire in Northern California would come to be called the most deadly in our state's history.
At time of publication, the Camp Fire in Butte County has destroyed 6,453 homes and 260 businesses, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced and a death toll rising near 50 as of early Wednesday morning.
Here in San Francisco and around the Bay Area, we can see and feel the fire's far-flung effects in the toxic air around us (get a mask, if you haven't already), and we've seen the disturbing photos and video footage of people and animals stranded in the path of destruction.
But there's lots we can do to help ease the suffering of the victims and to aid the relief effort, and we will be updating this article throughout the week as we learn more about ongoing efforts. If you have a tip for how else we can help, email edit@7x7.com with the subject line Help for Camp Fire Relief.
*Events are unfolding quickly, and many shelters are already overwhelmed with donations (though volunteers are always needed). Please call ahead to confirm the exact needs of each location.
A smoky morning view at the Golden Gate Bridge.(@the415guy)
Bring Crucial Supplies + Volunteer at Shelters
To accommodate the estimated 30,000 (and counting) evacuees, a number of NorCal landmarks have opened their spaces to house refugees. Below is a list of shelters, organizations, schools, and businesses we've found that are currently operating as safe spaces; they need able-and-willing volunteers and donations of essential supplies.
- Hope Center, 1950 Kitrick Ave. (Oroville), orovillehopecenter.org
- The Shasta Regional Medical Center, 1100 Butte St. (Redding), shastaregional.com
- Evangelical Free Church of Chico, 1193 Filbert Ave. (Chico), efcchico.org
- The Salvation Army, 700 Broadway St. (Chico), satruck.org
- Bidwell Jr. High School, 2376 North Ave. (Chico), bjhs.chicousd.org
- Yuba-Sutter Fairground, 442 Franklin Ave. (Yuba City), ysfair.com
- *Plumas County Fairgrounds, 204 Fairground Rd. (Quincy), plumas-sierracountyfair.net
- *Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 East Hazel St. (Gridley), buttecountyfair.org
- *Glenn County Fairgrounds, 221 East Yolo St. (Orland), glenncountyfair.org
- *Oroville Nazarene Church, 2238 Monte Vista Ave. (Oroville), oronaz.org
- *Neighborhood Church, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. (Chico), ncchico.org
- *Chico Elks Club 1705 Manzanita St. (Chico), chicoelks.com
*Shelters at capacity that need supplies. Call in advance drop-off times and needs.
For up-to-date information on the status of these shelters and others, follow the Butte County Sherrif's Twitter page. Also, many of these shelters will be shuttling supplies from various points in San Francisco and beyond; get in contact with a shelter for more information on pick-up locations near you.
*Update (11/16): East Avenue Church (1184 East Ave., Chico) is currently accepting and housing refugees and are in need of supplies. Contact them at (530) 342-1806 for more specifics
Restaurants + Bars That Are Giving Back
We can always count on the Bay Area food community to come together to help out in a crisis. Below are a few ways you can dine and drink to help those affected by the still-growing Camp Fire.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (390 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay): The Peninsula-based beer company is hosting a Thanksgiving fundraiser, with proceeds from all food sales that day going to the North Valley Community Foundation fund. The event takes place Thursday, Nov. 22 (11am to 4:45pm); reservations are highly recommended.
Octavia (1701 Octavia St., Japantown) and Frances (3870 17th St., The Castro): Chef Melissa Perello's neighborhood favorites are both donating $1 per cover to the California Community Foundation.
Cafe Ohlone(2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley) will be donating water, food, and clothes to evacuees who are making the trek to the Bay Area. To find out what you can donate or how you can help in other ways, email vincent@makamham.com.
Bar 41 (308 41st St., Oakland) is collecting donations—think canned foods, new or washed clothing, and personal care productsthis week for the Red Cross; bartender Troy Atkins is personally donating a percentage of his tips made throughout the week.
World Central Kitchen is currently feeding tens of thousands of first responders and refugees of the both the Camp an Woolsey fires; you can help by donating your time or food supplies.
*Update 11/16: Livermore wineries and breweries Embodied Wines, Longevity Wines, Nottingham Cellars, Wood Family Vineyards, Altamont Beerworks, McKahn Family Cellars, and Occasio Winery will donate 10 percent of all proceeds raised this weekend (11/16—11/18) to the North Valley Community Foundation to help fire victims.
*Update (11/16): The next three Tuesdays (11/20, 11/27, and 12/3) Doña Tomás (5004 Telegraph Ave.) will donate 10 percent of their proceeds from their lunch and dinner sales to Grant Kerber's GoFundMe page to help those affected by the Camp Fire.
Go Out and Give Back
Why not turn an outing into an act of philanthropy? Here are a few NorCal happenings you can enjoy, knowing your spent funds are giving back to those affected by the Camp Fire:
Restorative Yoga with Kat Da Silva: At Be the Change Yoga & Wellness (947 Park Ave, San Jose), 100 percent of donations from the class will go to North Valley Community Foundation to support relief efforts for the Camp Fire victims. Tickets are available at mindbodyonline.com.
Paint Party for a Cause: At The Painting Library (200 Nut Tree Parkway, Vacaville), a portion of ticket sales ($30 at Eventbrite) will go towards the Camp Fire Relief Fund of United Way.
Drink at Stein's Beer Garden: Stein's (10088 North Wolfe Rd., Ste. 130, Cupertino) will donate 15 percent of all proceeds to KW Cares, Keller Williams' non-profit that provides boots on the ground aid to all those affected.
Camp Fire Fundraiser Weekend: Friday, Nov. 16th and Saturday, Nov. 17th, Lost Weekend Lounge (2320 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda) will provide a donation jar as well as host a food, clothing, and toiletry drive. Bartenders will also be donating a portion of their tips from both evenings to the families who lost their homes and belongings in the fire.
*Update (11/16): 100 percent of the proceeds made from sales garnered by Peggy Li's Santa Rosa Rosette Necklace will go to the Redwood Fire Relief efforts.
Help the Displaced Animals
It's estimated that the Camp Fire has displaced some 400-plus large animals, from horses to zebras (yes, zebras), as well as innumerable small animals and pets. If you or anyone you know has lost an animal during the evacuations, contact the following shelters. Also, most of these shelters are seeking supplies and hand-help; we'd recommend getting in contact with them for the specifics in advance.
Only small animals:
- Old Oroville Hospital, 2279 Del Oro Dr., (Oroville), orovillehospital.com
- Chico Municipal Airport, 150 Airpark Dr., (Chico), chico.ca.us
- Chico Animal Shelter (for stray animals, contact chicoanimalshelter.org), chicoanimalshelter.org
Only large animals:
- Rolling Hills Casino Equestrian Center, off I-5 (Corning), rollinghillscasino.com
- Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 East Hazel St. (Gridley), buttecountyfair.org
All animals:
- Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Ave. (Yuba City), ysfair.com
Donate—From Your Couch
If you can't volunteer in person but you have a WiFi connection, there are plenty online fundraisers and GoFundMe pages where you can contribute;
- California Community Foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund
- North Valley Community Foundation
- United Way of Northern California (to make a donation, text BUTTEFIRE to 91999)
- North Valley Animal Disaster Group
- CalFund: Fire Relief
- GoFundMe Campaign for Camp Fire Relief
- Enloe Foundation Camp Fire Relief Fund
*Update (11/16): Brutte College Student Camp Fire Relief
