By Virginia Becker
The fires that broke out in the Napa area began around 11 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017. A weather phenomenon known as the “Diablo winds” contributed to fueling this fire and turning a great portion of the Napa Valley into a raging inferno. Read more
By Monique Dugaw
Veronica Padillah is staying at the Red Cross shelter at Napa Valley Community College along with 10 of her family members, including her grandchildren, Jeremy (25 days old) and Rosa (5 years), who are pictured with her.
By Cindy Huge
(Photo by Cindy Huge)
“I saw the glow over the hill to the south, and I knew it was a fire,” said Taylor Finlay.
Quickly fleeing his home of many years, Finley had time to grab only a few items, one of them being his precious, hand-carved walking stick. He was one of thousands of residents who sought shelter with the American Red Cross, as the California wildfires broke out last week in Santa Rosa. Read more
By Ellis Levinson
When I met Andrea Allman at the Red Cross Community Assistance Center in Santa Rosa this month, I expected to learn how the Tubbs wildfire affected her emotionally. I didn’t expect to learn a personal lesson. Read more
By Mauri Shuler
When Gail Hale was suddenly evacuated from her home this month because of wildfire, she joined hundreds of others at a Red Cross shelter in Santa Rosa. Upon arrival, she found herself still stunned by the fast-moving fires — and the fact that they had resulted in the total loss of her home. “A wonderful woman greeted me, made sure I had a soft blanket, and talked with me; she was great,” Gail recalled. Read more
By Ellis Levinson
As the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) pulled up at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church in Calistoga, California, a crowd of mostly women immediately gathered. They were in need of basic items for their families. The truck was their best hope for relief from the financial strains created when the wildfires swept through three counties north of San Francisco this month. Read more
Your Red Cross Update 