California Wildfire Relief
February 2021 – January 2026
All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) is responding to the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, where we’ve committed to a 12-month wildfire recovery effort to address both immediate and long-term community needs in Los Angeles County. Since toxic ash is still limiting volunteer access, we’ve partnered with local organizations to promote a direct, coordinated and sustainable response. Our short-term focus includes distributing aid, coordinating relief efforts and providing cash assistance for the most severely impacted vulnerable communities. In the long term, we are committed to supporting communities on their road to recovery while also working to reduce future wildfire risks through preparedness education, home hardening strategies and improved evacuation routes.

Current Activities
AHAH is on the ground in Los Angeles, actively supporting wildfire-affected communities through volunteer coordination, specialized goods distribution (including Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, to protect against exposure to hazards) and support for meal programs for displaced individuals. In partnership with local organization National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), we are facilitating debris removal and cleanup while creating job opportunities for day laborers impacted by the fires. Additionally, we are providing direct financial assistance in collaboration with CORE to support those in need. Through these partnerships, we are supporting essential, immediate recovery needs while reinvesting into the local economy, spurring a more comprehensive feedback system of support and recovery.
Los Angeles Wildfires
The Los Angeles Wildfires ignited on January 7, beginning with the Palisades Fire, which rapidly spread due to an extreme wind event. Just hours later, the Eaton Fire sparked, quickly intensifying the devastation. Both fires, along with several smaller blazes, tore through residential neighborhoods, local businesses and community centers, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and dangerously dry conditions. More than 50,000 acres burned, over 16,000 structures were destroyed and 28 lives were lost. At the peak of the crisis, more than 200,000 people were under evacuation orders, making this one of the most deadly and devastating wildfire events in California history.
Reina’s Story

“My name is Reina. I lived in Altadena in the ’70s and ’80s, and it holds so many memories — friends, family, even my wedding reception. Both homes I lived in burned, as did the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, where I knew the workers and their animals. The impact is indescribable. I have spoken to some of the other workers here from Eaton Canyon and Farnsworth Park, which was a landmark there. It was the only park with an open-seating theatre for the community, and now it’s burned down. Though I live 15 miles away, the winds shattered our windows. Losing a home is beyond words. Today, we’re feeding thousands of families. Thank you for standing with us and supporting our recovery.”