Rotary International Director Dan Himelspach, who represents California, sent an email to his fellow directors to describe how we can help. He has asked us to spread this to Rotarians throughout Districts in Zones 30 and 31. Here is his email:
My fellow Directors. We are now up to 10,000 structures destroyed in the Los Angeles area, 36,000 acres burned, 150,000 ordered to evacuate, and another 166,000 warned they may need to flee. Districts 5280 and 5300 are being heavily impacted. Both Districts are deeply engaged in organizing disaster relief efforts. Firefighters have come in from all over the US and Canada. Civil authorities are responding the best they can, but the situation at this point is out of control.
More high winds are forecast. Our Rotarians are responding the best of their ability, but many have been personally affected. Below is an email the Zone sent to all our PDGs, DGs, DGEs and DGNs.
As you know, the Los Angeles area has been devastated by large fires that are burning out of control in several areas. Many thousands of homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated. Our Rotary colleagues in the affected Districts - Districts 5280 and 5300 - have activated District Disaster Relief Funds to assist the victims of the fires. District 5280 (Los Angeles) has also created a Resource Directory and an online spreadsheet for In-Kind Donations.
To access information and links to District 5280's Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund and other resources, please click here: https://rotary5280.org/page/2025-wildfire-disaster-relief/ To access information and a link to District 5300's Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, please click here: https://www.district5300.org/ca-wild-fires/
District Governors: Please share this information with your Assistant Governors, Club Presidents, and Members.
Dan Daniel C Himelspach
RI Director 2023-2025