How to help Dolan Fire victims in Monterey County
In less than a month, the Dolan Fire has burned 118,465 acres and destroyed at least 19 structures.
Many people were forced to flee the wildfire, which began near Big Sur on Aug. 18. Some have still not been able to return to their homes nearly a month later, as the fire continues to spread.
When the Dolan Fire started burning, two fires were already raging in Monterey County.
Although the River Fire near Salinas and the Carmel Fire in Carmel Valley are now 100% contained, the Dolan Fire was only at 40% containment as of Monday.
Here are some ways to help those affected by the Dolan Fire near Big Sur:
Donate cash
Cash donations are the most flexible and can be used in a number of ways to help fire victims.
Make a $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting CAWILDFIRES to 90999 or visit redcross.org/donate/donation.html.
Make a monetary contribution to the Monterey County Fire Relief Fund which will provide grants to nonprofits and organizations assisting people affected by the River, Carmel or Dolan Fire with emergency services. Donations can be made online, via phone at 831-375-9712 or by mail at Community Foundation for Monterey County, 2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940.
Donate directly to the Big Sur Disaster Relief Fund to help individuals and families in need of emergency assistance.
Donate to Monterey County SPCA. The animal shelter has been rescuing pets from the fires and caring for them until they can reunite with their family.
Make a monetary donation to the Food Bank for Monterey County. The food bank is not currently accepting food donations due to COVID-19.
Donate to the California Fire Foundation’s Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program to help provide immediate relief to victims of wildfires.
The Ventana Wildlife Society is collecting monetary donations to rebuild the condor release and research facilities that were destroyed by the Dolan Fire.
Donate through the GoFundMe Hub, which shows multiple fundraising campaigns.
Venmo ALL-IN Monterey County at @ALL-IN-2. ALL-IN is a community group that has been putting together drive-through markets for families affected by the fire.
Make a monetary donation to the California Lions Foundation Wildfire Disaster Relief fund online or by mail to the California Lions MD4 State Office at 129 Los Aquajes Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 with “Fire Victims” written in the memo.
Donate food, supplies and gift cards
- Donate gift cards to ALL-IN Monterey.
Donate shelf-stable food and supplies at Seaside High School, 2200 Noche Buena St. in Seaside, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information on evacuation orders, go to the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services’ Dolan Fire Evacuation Zones map.
To receive emergency notifications regarding evacuations and critical events in Monterey County, sign up for A!ert Monterey County.
Additional volunteer and donation information can be found at MontereyCo.Recovers.org.
Add to the list: Know of an ongoing relief effort or businesses donating funds to fire evacuees? Contact Tribune reporter Cassandra Garibay at cgaribay@thetribunenews.com.
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 1:29 PM with the headline "How to help Dolan Fire victims in Monterey County."
