California Fires Response: Join Convoy and Help Those in Need
January 13, 2025 | 1:56 p.m.
Convoy of Hope team members are on the ground in California, responding to the deadly wildfires that continue to burn in the greater Los Angeles area. Several tractor-trailer loads of relief supplies have already arrived, and more are scheduled for delivery in the first part of this week.
The weather forecast does not look favorable. Santa Ana winds, which have been responsible for rapidly spreading the fires, will return to southern California early this week. These gusty winds will make it difficult for firefighters to contain the aggressive blazes.
In addition to destroying homes, the wildfires have burned through thousands of businesses and civic organisations. In the wake of the flames, the Los Angeles Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LACADA) had to evacuate their 64 patients to facilities outside of the disaster zone.
Corey Kwoka, who works at LACADA, kept in communication with his mom in Georgia while he evacuated. On her drive home, she was listening to KLOVE on the radio. When she called KLOVE to ask for prayer, they put her into contact with Convoy of Hope.
Yesterday, Convoy delivered water, food, hygiene items, socks, and more to the medical facility currently housing the displaced patients from LACADA.
“It’s one thing to have the essentials that we need — we’re a facility that’s helping folks in alcohol and drug recovery. It’s another thing to have people show up and provide hope,” said Corey Kwoka.
At this time, none of the major fires are contained, and it will take firefighters days to do so. Convoy of Hope will be there serving those who need help for as long as we can.
January 11, 2025 | 7:34 p.m.
Convoy of Hope is on the ground in Los Angeles, responding to the deadly wildfires that broke out earlier this week. Five fires have burned nearly 39,000 acres, blowing through thousands of homes and businesses. More than 3,700 fire personnel are fighting the Palisades fire alone. Containment is slow, grueling work.
From the highway, you can see mountains of orange-black smoke from the Palisades fire. Even from miles away, the air smells like metal and burnt rubber.
In Pasadena, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center burned down. Only chimneys, washing machines, filing cabinets, and other debris remain. A neighborhood over, Rich and Rad — father and son — lost their home. Rich had lived there for 30 years, and he wanted to leave his kids something.
“All I left them was homeless,” he said. “You know what that does to a person?”
Today, Convoy is distributing food, water, hygiene kits, and air purifiers in Los Angeles and Calabasas.
Convoy has already distributed over 100,000 pounds of relief supplies and served more than 5,400 people. And we’re not done. As the fires continue blazing and more people lose everything, Convoy will be there to provide help and hope to communities in need.
January 10, 2025 | 10:40 a.m.
Ten thousand homes have burned in the Los Angeles area. The fires have blazed through 50 square miles. Ten people have lost their lives. Accuweather estimates the damage could reach $150 billion.
Firefighters have made significant progress in slowing the fires, and have even started containing the largest — the Palisades fire — but containment as a whole remains far out of reach.
Convoy team members are en route to the area to connect with partners and churches and help coordinate ongoing relief efforts.