Wildfires are rapidly tearing across Los Angeles County, California, burning through land, homes, and businesses. At least five people have been killed and thousands of structures destroyed. The air quality in Los Angeles is at a hazardous level, water from the fire hydrants in the Palisades has turned to trickles, and more than 70,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Currently, more than 400,000 people are without power. As a safety measure, electric companies will shut off power in neighborhoods to avoid their electric systems becoming a point of ignition. When people are without power, they lose access to vital resources. Grocery stores, gas stations, and other essential services lose power as well, further limiting access.
Convoy of Hope is responding. Truckloads of essential relief supplies such as water, food, and hygiene items have already arrived in the Los Angeles area from our Regional Distribution Center in Sacramento -- and more are on the way.
"The destruction of homes and buildings in the Los Angeles area is truly heartbreaking. Convoy of Hope is committed to delivering hope to survivors of the fires," said Ethan Forhetz, Convoy of Hope's vice president of public engagement. "With so many people evacuating, and so many people without power, the relief supplies Convoy is delivering are a symbol of hope. We stand with the people of California during this unprecedented disaster."
Strong winds are driving the fires and making the situation incredibly difficult and dangerous for first responders. Convoy will stay in contact with partners on the ground, and is actively working to provide help and hope to those devastated by the fires.
