We’re scouring the internet to aggregate this list of wildfire help and assistance programs around the United States. I genuinely hope you aren’t affected by the wildfires, but if you are, I hope this resource list can help.
Wildfires are devastating, and unfortunately, widespread. This list will continue to be updated throughout the wildfire season. If you know of any resources that we have missed, please leave a comment below.
State-by-State Guide to Wildfire Help
Because the services vary so widely by state, we have organized this list alphabetically by state. Please scroll until you find the section for your state. You can also use our Table of Contents (above) to quickly navigate to your area.
Wildfire Help in California
Statewide Support
Airbnb is offering free shelter to anyone who has been affected by the Northern California wildfires. This is offered through their Open Homes program. You’ll need to show proof of address in an impacted area.
AT&T and Verizon will provide free data in wildfire-ravaged areas.
Wag Hotels is offering free pet boarding in Redwood City, Santa Clara, Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Hollywood, San Diego, Carson and West Lost Angeles. As part of this service, Wag Hotels is offering bedding, food and 24 hour care for both cats and dogs.
Free drawings of homes are available from a generous Fresno artist. In lieu of donations, she is seeking support for firefighting and assistance agencies.
Wildfire Help in Los Angeles
The Hoxton is a luxury hotel in Los Angeles that is offering free rooms to those who live in mandatory evacuation zones. You will need to email the LA location ([email protected]) with proof of address in an affected area.
Wildfire Help near San Francisco
Animal care is available at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter for pets of wildfire evacuees. The pets will be provided for without cost. In addition to the emergency shelter, the Animal Shelter will also provide pet food and other supplies to pet owners in need. Pet sheltering is also available at Daly City’s Cow Palace Arena and Event Center and Peninsula Humane Society.
Free meals can be picked up from the Kaiser Permanente Arena, where the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center is offering pre-packaged meals.
Wildfire Help in the Kerns Mtn area
Free home batteries are available for people who live near Kern’s mountain communities. The batteries are given on a priority basis to those who are low income, medically vulnerable or at high risk of wildfire.
Wildfire Help in Oregon
If you need wildfire help in Oregon, we’ve found some things that may be able to help.
Wildfire Help in the Portland Metro Area
Many businesses, agencies and organizations are stepping up to help those affected by the wildfires.
SHELTER
The Hoxton is a luxury hotel in Portland that is offering free rooms to those who live in mandatory evacuation zones. You will need to email the Portland location ([email protected]) with proof of address in an affected area.
FOOD
If you need food, check out these resources:
- Newburg
- Ruddick/Wood is offering delivery meals for returning evacuees.
- Portland
- Don’t Shoot PDX is organizing aid for Native American communities affected by the fires.
- Feed the Mass is hosted by a non-profit cooking school and offers meals for delivery or pickup.
- Malka PDX offers free meals to the community as much as possible. Follow their Instagram page for details.
- Sammich is working to feed those who have been affected by the wildfires.
STORAGE
U-Haul is offering free storage at various locations across the West. In the Portland Metro area, you may be able to get 30 days of free storage at these locations:
- Bend: U-Haul Storage of Beaverton
- Gresham: U-Haul Storage of Gresham
- Happy Valley: U-Haul Moving & Storage of Clackamas Town Center
- Milwaukie: U-Haul Storage of Milwaukie
- Portland:
- Sherwood: U-Haul Storage of Sherwood
- Tigard: U-Haul Storage of SW Portland
- Tualatin: U-Haul Storage of Lake Oswego
Wildfire Help in Southern Oregon
We have found several resources to help those affected by the wildfires in Southern Oregon.
SHELTERS
Daytime shelters in Southern Oregon include:
- Ashland Christian Fellowship Shelter offers WiFi, device chargers, sack lunches, hot dinners, toiletries and other necessities.
- Rogue Valley Christian Church (Medford), which also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have a laundry service, school support, free WiFi and quiet work spaces.
Overnight shelters in Southern Oregon include:
- East Evans Creek Community Center (Rogue River)
- Edgewater Christian Fellowship (Grants Pass)
- First Presbyterian Church (Medford)
- Grace Baptist Church (Rogue River) – accepts pets!
- Harvest Time Fellowship (Gold Hill)
- Jackson County Expo (Central Point)
- Klamath Falls Gospel Mission (Klamath Falls)
- New Life Church of the Nazarene (Medford)
- North Medford High School (Medford)
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Central Point)
FOOD & SUPPLIES
Elks Lodge in Ashland is offering food, supplies and services to anyone in need. The lodge is located at 255 E Main Street in Ashland.
Family Nurturing Center in Medford has diapers, food, hygiene products and more for those in need.
First Baptist Church in Ashland is helping those who have been displaced by the Alameda Fire.
Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass has basic supplies, including food, toiletries, clothing, bedding and pet items. They are accepting and distributing donations at the fairgrounds.
Klamath Lake Food Bank has food, water bottles and more for those who have been affected.
Medford School District Schools are offering free meals between 11 am and 12:30 pm at certain locations. Details can be found on their website.
New Life Naz in Medford is offering basic supplies and essentials, including clothing. According to KOBI5, they also have a parking lot available for vehicles and RVs.
Paddington Station is offering free clothing to those affected by the Almeda fire. They have a range of clothing, including Men’s, Kids’ Womens, and Plus Size options.
Rogue Valley Relief Fund is helping Southern Oregon residents affected by the wildfires. The fund can assist with tents, meals, gas and other urgently needed supplies. In the long term, this fund hopes to help those who have lost their homes but cannot access other aid.
St. Vincent de Paul is offering car camping in their back parking lot. They also offer emergency financial assistance and other services.
Teresa McCormick Center is offering free showers, food boxes and more to those affected by the fires. For details, check their Facebook page.
The Cotton Broker in Jacksonville is offering a new outfit and/or accessories to women affected by the fire.
Youth 71:Five has an emergency fund for youth (including local families with youth) who have been affected by the Almeda Fire.
RESTAURANT MEALS
Breadboard Restaurant in Ashland may have free ready-to-go meals for those who have been affected by the fire.
Smithfields Restaurant and Bar in Ashland offers free meals between 4pm and 6pm for those affected. Please check their Facebook page for details.
STORAGE
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to those affected by the wildfires. You can get help at these locations:
Wildfire Help near Bend
U-Haul is offering free storage at various locations. In the Central Oregon area, you may be able to get 30 days of free storage at these locations:
Wildfire Help near Eugene
Eugene YMCA is offering help. Families who have been displaced by the wildfires can receive a free three-month membership to the Eugene Family YMCA. The YMCA is offering full-day, school-aged programming this fall. You will need to provide proof of address.
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to those affected by the wildfires. You can get help at these locations:
Wildfire Help near Salem
U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage to those affected by the wildfires. You can get help at these locations:
Wildfire Help in Washington
If you need wildfire help in Washington, we’ve found some things that may be able to help.
Free Storage
U-Haul is currently offering 30 days of free self-storage for residents who have been affected by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.
There are 10 locations in Washington that are offering free storage. Participating locations include:
- Pasco:
- Spokane:
- Spokane Valley
- Vancouver
- Yakima
Free Help for College Students
Wenatchee Valley College has many resources for students affected by the wildfires, including:
- Food pantries offering pickup for food and hygiene items (available at both campuses)
- Emergency funding to help with auto repair, housing, tuition, technology needs and more
- Counseling for emotional support, financial help, and academic help (available via phone or Zoom)
- Registration and tuition deadline flexibility
- Wi-Fi hot spots
- Gas cards to help students access any of these resources
Save Money & Get Free Stuff!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.