2017 California Wildfires

Disaster Overview

In December 2017, nearly 9,000 wildfires tore through the State of California, burning 1.2 million acres of land, destroying more than 10,800 structures and killing at least 46 people.

Source: Washington Post

Member and Partner Resources

• The Council co-sponsored a funders phone conference series with Northern California Grantmakers to support continued coordinated response and recovery efforts. Learn More
• FEMA issued an emergency declaration on December 8, 2017: California Wildfires Emergency Declaration.  
• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy's 2017 Wildfires Profile contains NGO and funder response activities.
• California Community Foundation is matching contributions to its Wildfire Relief Fund up to $100,000.
• Latino Community Foundation has established the Northern California Wildfire Relief Fund.
• The Northern California Fire Fund has been established at Silicon Valley Community Foundation by Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties' community foundations.
• The San Diego Foundation's Regional Disaster Relief Fund is accepting donations for recovery efforts.
• The Tipping Point Community Emergency Relief Fund will provide funding for those most marginalized in the wake of the fires (Levi Strauss Foundation is a major contributor).
• Ventura County Community Foundation established a Disaster Relief Fund for local recovery.
• Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees is maintaining a list of resources available on its Natural Disasters Response Page.
• San Diego Grantmakers is maintaining a list of funders and NGOs involved in response efforts by county: San Diego & Southern California Wildfires.
• Southern California Grantmakers' Southern California Wildfires page contains information on NGO response, funds established and updated local information.

Additional Information

• The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection maintains a 2017 Statewide Fire Map for state-wide fire incidents and containment progress. 
• Emergency Network Los Angeles VOAD Creek and Skirball Fire Donations and Volunteer Questions.
• Ventura County Thomas Fire Incident Information.
• Santa Barbara County Thomas Fire Information and Updates.
• For volunteer response information related to the Lilac Fire, contact San Diego VOAD.