I’ve been compiling a list of relevant information that could be helpful for those affected by the heartbreaking fires in Los Angeles.
Here’s some of the information I’ve collected, and I’ve tried to post things that are relevant to those working in the game industry.
The game community has already been hit hard by calamities like layoffs in the past couple of years. Los Angeles is home to perhaps the biggest concentration of game companies and employees in the world. Its epicenter is Santa Monica, which is perilously close to the Pacific Palisades fire that is not yet contained. There are social media reports of multiple game industry people who have lost their homes among the estimated 150,000 who lived in the evacuation zones.
So far, 24 have died and 12,000 structures have burned in what is likely to be the worst disaster in terms of property damage in the region’s history.
Serenity Thompson posted various ways to help. Notable among them is a link to GoFundMe‘s hub for Los Angeles fire victims. If you know someone affected, you can find them through the hub to make a direct donation. Among those who have publicly noted they lost homes or family homes are Marcus Beer, Andrew Stalbow, Greg Lovett, Danny Bilson, Laurent Lepage, Michael Heilemann, Moritz Baier-Lentz and Javon Frazier. Devon Giehl and Iain Hendry lost the home they had together.
Information on the fires is here at Cal Fire.
There is plenty of ways to help, like making donations or providing services. And there is some to be wary about, as scammers are preying upon unsuspecting do-gooders, according to the Los Angeles Police Deparment. There’s also a hotline to call if you’ve run into any insurance scams.
Netflix said it is donating $10 million to various organizations including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the California Community Foundation, World Central Kitchen, the Motion Picture and Television Fund, and the Entertainment Community Fund.
Many people are moving into temporary shelters or hotels. Here’s a list of hotels and ways to contact them.
TheKindnessHub – a decentralized resource relief effort – has set up a group to connect people and provide a hotline for those who need help.
Here’s a list of brands offering discounts or free items for fire victims.
Charity Navigator and Guidestar have lists of reputable charities to help with fire aid. The Wildfire Relief Fund dispenses cash gifts to victims. The LA Food Bank is here. Pet rescue in the area is here. And here is the Climate Crisis Relief Fund.
Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation donated $500,000 to Los Angeles fire relief. Netflix has donated $10 million, Disney is donating $15 million,Comcast NBC Universal has donated $10 million, Sony donated $5 million, Amazon has donated $10 million, Paramount donated $1 million, Warner Bros. Discovery donated $15 million and is offering money to affected employees, and Fox has donated $1 million.