Direct Relief continues to deploy emergency resources throughout California in response to the deadly wildfires burning in the Northern and Southern parts of the State.
The organization worked over the weekend, delivering more than 20,000 N-95 respirators, 20 oxygen concentrators and critically needed medicine on Saturday to the Butte County Public Health Department in Oroville, California.
Another 40,000 N-95 masks departed Direct Relief’s Santa Barbara warehouse Monday morning for various locations throughout Los Angeles County.
Direct Relief maintains a standing inventory of items needed during wildfires, such as N-95 masks and respiratory medication.
The organization has made available its entire stock of fire-related items, including more than 400,000 N-95 masks, for public agencies, local organizations, and first responder groups.
Direct Relief is in close communication with state, county and local health officials about medical needs that may arise as more people evacuate or return to their homes.
Direct Relief is also working with the California Office of Emergency Services, the Red Cross, Pacific Coast and Ventura County Chapters, and California’s Medical Reserve Corps and Office of Emergency Services, among others.
Wildfires have consumed more than one million acres in California so far this year, with the Woosley and Hill Fires in Southern California and Camp Fire in Northern California accounting for roughly 200,000 acres burned to date.
The November fires are also among the most destructive in California history, having burned more than 6,000 structures. With more than 30 confirmed fatalities and more than 100 people still unaccounted for, the fires are also among the deadliest.