Nearly 60,000 acres are currently burning throughout Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties. (Photo by @kpfotog for @pressdemo)

Here's How You Can Help Those Affected by the North Bay Fires

09 October 2017
Matt Charnock

You've seen the horrific images, you have friends and loved ones and favorite haunts up north.

And as of Monday morning, Wine Country is in a state of emergency as more than a dozen wildfires are consuming large swaths of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Yuba counties. It's a time for thoughts and prayers, yes, but more importantly for action: Here's how to help the victims of this Bay Area tragedy.

*We will be updating this article throughout the week as we learn more about ongoing relief and recovery efforts. If you have a tip for how we can help those in need, email edit@7x7.com with the subject line Help for Wine Country.

*Events are unfolding quickly and many shelters are now overwhelmed with donations (though volunteers are always needed!). Please call ahead to confirm the exact needs of each location.

*For updates on businesses that have closed or remain open in Napa, go to visitnapavalley.com/emergency.

Bring Crucial Supplies & Volunteer at Shelters

To accommodate the estimated 20,000 evacuees, a number of local landmarks have opened their doors to the growing influx of escapees. 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.

  • Veterans Memorial Building and Hall, 1351 Maple Ave. (Santa Rosa), sonomacountry.ca.gov
  • Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. (Petaluma), cityofpetaluma.net
  • Sonoma County Fairgrounds (open for large- and medium-sized livestock and farm animals), access via Gate 7 on Aston Ave. (Sonoma), sonomacountyfiar.com
  • Ramekins Culinary School and Inn,450 W. Spain St. (Sonoma), remekins.com
  • Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds (open to accommodate small livestock and other farm animals, access via Gate 4 on 175 Fairgrounds Dr (Petaluma), sonoma-maringfair.org
  • Crosswalk Church (currently at capacity), 2590 1st St. (Napa), crosswalknapa.org
  • Napa Valley College Gym (currently at volunteer cap,2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy. (Napa), napavalley.edu
Update 10/09: SF's Love on Haight is giving away free clothing to fire victims; they will also be taking donations through out the day.

Update 10/09:Marin County has opened a temporary shelter for evacuees. Donations needed include clothes for older children and adults, blankets, new pillows, new underwear for all ages, packaged prepared food, baby formula. Drop off behind exhibit hall;10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.

Update 10/10: Horseman's Club at 600 Bugeia Lane (Novato), Morning Star Farms (which is only taking horses at the moment) at 885 Sutro Ave. (Novato), Lighthouse Christian Church at 1915 Novato Blvd. (Novato), and Christ Church North Bay at 6965 Redwood Blvd. (Novato) are now taking fire evacuees; they may be in need of supplies as well. Those in need of housing or wanting to donate their time, money, or goods can contact Horesman's Club at (415-246-9423), Morning Star Farms at (415-897-1633), Lighthouse Christian Church at (415-897-5556). and Christ Church North Bay at (415-895-0201), respectively.

Donation Tip: Someone also mentioned that feminine products are often overlooked so those would probably be appreciated as well.



***Update 10/10:Sonoma Valley High School is also hosting evacuees. Supplies needed include masks, blankets, pillows, soap, towels, pet food, children's games, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. 20000 Broadway (Sonoma), sonomavalleyhigh.org

***Update 10/10: Hotel Zephyr at 250 Beach St. (Fisherman's Wharf) will be offering flat-rate $95 nights—which will include complimentary breakfast, parking, and WiFi—to those who have been affected by the fires.

***Update 10/10: Marin County is asking individuals to hold on to donations for now—the evacuation centers are full. But volunteers are needed. If you want to sign up to volunteer via the CVNL Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership portal you can do so here: https://cvnl.galaxydigital.com (new users go to "sign up" in top left; existing users login and edit profile settings to include "disaster volunteering"). Up to date info on their FB page: facebook.com/CountyOfMarin.

They are asking people not to bring any more supplies at this time but if you can volunteer here is additional info: https://cvnl.org/volunteerism/

***Update 10/10: Below is a list of still open and operational grocery stories in the affected counties of Napa, Novato, Santa Rosa, and Sonoma:

Napa

Novato

Santa Rosa

    • Safeway locations at 2751 4th St. and 2785 Yulupa Ave. (Santa Rosa), safeway.com

Sonoma

***Update 10/11: Below is a list of SF-based donation drop-off areas currently taking supplies:

Donation Tip: Most shelters we've been in touch with need the following supplies:
  • Non-perishable food for replenishing food banks and firehouses
  • Pet food
  • Packaged underwear
  • Shoes
  • Phone chargers
  • Bottles of Water and Gatorade
  • Cots/ blankets, yoga mats, air mattresses of the sorts
  • Face Masks for breathing
***Update 10/12: The Christ Church North Bay at 6965 Redwood Blvd. (Novato) is now accepting donations and goods for families that they are housing due to the fires. They, however, are at-capacity for volunteer help.

Donation Tip: Shelters today have overwhelmingly been asking for sweatpants, sweaters, and other warm-wear.

  • Fort Point beer Co. will accept items at its brewery location at 644 Old Mason Street (Presidio), which they will then donate to the North Bay via their delivery trucks. Everything from tents to air mattresses are requested, feminine care products and baby formula is being asked for.

***Update 10/14: The Alembic, The Dubliner (now only accepting donations this coming Monday), and Love and Hate are no longer taking used clothes; word on the street is the in-need shelters only want new clothes at this time.

  • Turo, a SF-based car-sharing company, is offering free rentals to those who may need a vehicle during these hard times; email disasterrelief@turo.com for more details.

Donate to the Bay Area Red Cross and Local Food Banks

In the ensuing days, the Bay Area's Red Cross affiliates will be busy lending their might to ongoing relief efforts for the affected counties. Donations of any kind—be it large or small, monetary or otherwise—will be greatly appreciated; blood drives, too, are likely to be scheduled, so we'll keep you updated; redcross.org

The Red Cross has exhausted its volunteer networks in the Bay Area and is currently seeking additional volunteers, according to the City of Santa Rosa Facebook page. Those willing to help with check-in and supply distribution are encouraged to call (707-543-4542) or go in person to Elsie Allen High School (599 Bellevue Ave, Santa Rosa) or Cook Middle School (2480 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa).

Purge your pantry for the cause:

***Update 10/10: The Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund has launched an emergency fund to aid victims of the fire. To donate, go to my.jewishfed.org/emergency/north-bay-wildfire-emergency-fund.
***Update 10/11: The REFB (Redwood Empire Food Bank) is actively seeking no-perishable, ready-to-eat food donations to help satiate their ever-growing number of evacuees. To donate, go to refb.org and/or contact them at (707-523-7900) for more details.


Donate to the Humane Societies and SPCA

Natural disasters of this magnitude affect more than human lives. Donate your time—and extra bags of dog and cat food—to the North Bay branches of the Human Society and SPCA as they go about the tough work of accommodating new shelter animals.

***Update 10/10:The below shelters are currently taking small pets in need of housing,

***Update 10/10: Marin residents who are able to set aside stable space, please contact Toni Shroyer of East Novato Ranch at (415)-640-2754 or David McLaughlin of West Novato Ranch at (415)-897-8411, respectively.

***Update 10/12: Solano County Fair Grounds at 900 Fairgrounds Dr. (Vallejo) has open stable space for horses and other livestock. Please call (707)-551-2000 before arriving to assure they will still have room to accommodate said large animals. Feed and bedding and are in heavy demand, as well.

Lend a Hand (or Home-Cooked Meal) to the Fire Stations

Countless men and woman serving on the front lines are in need of sustenance and miscellaneous supplies. Be sure to call the appropriate non-emergency numbers to get a grasp on what they may need.

***Update 10/13:

Below is a list of fire stations we've spoken to directly that are more than happy to take those home-cooked, well-seasoned meals made with love and kindness:

Sonoma County:

  • The Bennett Valley Fire and Police Department is taking food donations later in the weekend. // 6161 Bennett Valley Rd. (Santa Rosa), sonomacountry.org; call (707)-578-7761 beforehand for more details
  • The Russian River Fire and Police Department is taking food donations now. // 14100 Armstrong Woods Rd. (Guerneville), sonomacountry.org; call (707)-869-9089 for more details
  • The Forestville Fire and Police Department is taking food donations now. // 6544 Mirabel Rd. (Forestville), sonomacountry.org; call (707)-887-2212 for more details

Napa County:

  • Drop-off all home-cooked meals to Fire Station #25 at any time. // 1820 Monticello St. (Napa), countyofnapa.org; call (707)-253-4940 for more details

Yuba County:

  • Drop off all home-cooked meals at Yuba City Admin Fire Station Monday through Friday. // 824 Clark Ave. (Yuba City), yubacity.org; call (530)-822-4686 for more details


Host Some Evacuees

  • Airbnb has a disaster relief program. If you're already a host, you can sign up to house displaced families or emergency workers. If you're in need of shelter, you may find it here.

***Update 10/11:


Help for Seniors

San Francisco–based Home Care Assistance is offering to help seniors in Napa and Sonoma evacuate safely and to transport their treasured belongings. Call 925.817.0416, homecareassistance.com.


Give to a GoFundMe

If you can't make it out to the previously listed gigs, odds are you're not too far away from a strong WiFi connections. Below is a list of popular (and vetted) GoFundMe and YouCaring campaign whose donations go directly to those affected by the recent Bay Area fires:


Give the Gift of Clean Air

SF-based Molekule, known for its stylish, ever-sold-out air purifiers, is offering $100 off its bluetooth-capable machines at Sprouts, 1828 Union St. (Cow Hollow) and 12 Miller Ave. (Mill Valley), sprouts.com

***Update 10/13

Below is a list of schools and churches that are giving-out free filtered air masks:

  • Sonoma High School will be handing-out free face masks in their gymnasium. // 20000 Broadway (Sonoma), sonomavalleyhigh.org
  • New Life Christian Fellowship will be handing-out free face masks in the community center. // 1310 Clegg St. (Petaluma), newlifepetaluma.org
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