YOUR AD HERE »

California Fire Foundation provides $200k for Mosquito Fire survivors

Submitted to the Sun
An air tanker drops retardant over the fire near Foresthill on Sept. 8, two days after the Mosquito Fire started.
Provided/Robert Foxworthy/Cal Fire

The California Fire Foundation has delivered financial help to low-income and senior residents displaced this month by the deadly Mosquito Fire in Placer and El Dorado counties.

In the three weeks since the start of the fire, the foundation has activated over 785 of its Disaster Relief cash cards, providing roughly $196,000 in rapid aid to survivors of the destructive fire. The cards were distributed at Auburn City Hall, Holiday Market in Cool and the Placer Community Foundation office.

The California Fire Foundation coordinated the cash card distribution with the Placer Community Foundation in Auburn and the El Dorado Community Foundation in Placerville with additional funding support from the Foundation’s partners the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA).



“Partnering with organizations such as the Placer Community Foundation, the El Dorado Community Foundation, RCRC and GSFA, ensures our foundation can reach those in dire need quickly, at a time when they need this lifeline the most,” said Rick Martinez, executive director of the California Fire Foundation.

The California Fire Foundation’s Disaster Relief program brings immediate, short-term relief in the amount of a $250 cash card to survivors of wildfire or other disasters throughout California. The Disaster Relief cards provide immediate relief so they may purchase basic supplies such as medicine, food, gas, lodging, or clothing.



“Many members of our community are struggling from the destruction and upheaval of the Mosquito Fire,” said Placer County Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “I am grateful for the assistance of the California Fire Foundation in the provision of these gift cards, which will provide some immediate short-term assistance to our residents most in need.”

“The aid the survivors received is making a big difference in helping to relieve some of the stress brought on by the fire,” said Eileen Speaker, grants manager, Placer Community Foundation. “Survivors shared that they would use the aid to purchase groceries and gas, pay hotel bills, and buy critical items they were unable to take as they evacuated quickly. We are so grateful for our partnership with the California Fire Foundation.”

The Mosquito Fire has burned nearly 77,000 acres, with more than 90 structures destroyed or damaged since it began on Sept. 6.

All together this fire season, the California Fire Foundation has been able to distribute nearly 2,200 Disaster Relief cash cards, totaling over $546,000, to those impacted by the Oak, McKinney, Mill, Mountain and Mosquito Fires this year.

For more information, visit http://www.cafirefoundation.org/programs/disaster-relief-programs.

The California Fire Foundation is a nonprofit that provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they protect. Formed in 1987 by California Professional Firefighters, the California Fire Foundation’s mission includes survivor and victim assistance programs and a range of community initiatives. cafirefoundation.org.

Source: California Fire Foundation


Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.