Arizona Red Cross volunteers lend a helping hand to California

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KSAZ) - In addition to firefighters, volunteers from American Red Cross Arizona chapters are stepping up to help California in the midst of devastating wildfires.

"The fires in California are absolutely historic, massive, very damaging, a lot of devastation," said Colin Williams with the American Red Cross.

Colin with the Red Cross says usually local Red Cross chapters take care of local tragedies.

"But this one is so big, these fires, that our region has stepped up," said Williams.

There will be a total of six Red Cross volunteers, four from Phoenix and two from southern Arizona. Volunteers will be helping with the basics.

"Shelter and feeding people that's what people need to get through this initial period," explained Williams. "After that damage assessment, clean up kits, bulk distribution."

When volunteers arrive, they will be in California for two weeks. Williams says just in the area of Malibu, there are about eight shelters, each with a couple hundred people.

"At the end of the day the volunteers will just be providing hope, hope for people in their recovery, it's really significant," says Williams.

If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross, visit RedCross.org, click "Donate Now" and then select "California Wildfires." You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation.

While many want to donate water and food, the Red Cross says it's better to give monetary donations so they can purchase the supplies in California.