2020 Western Wildfires

American Red Cross Response

Record Breaking Season

The 2020 wildfire season proved to be one of the worst on record. Starting in August, countless fires burned millions of acres across multiple states, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes, and creating hazardous air quality conditions across the country.

Western Wildfires

The American Red Cross mobilized wildfire response efforts across multiple states, helping the thousands of people whose lives were changed forever due to the fires. Trained Red Cross disaster teams worked around the clock for months to deliver care and comfort in people’s darkest hours. Learn more below.

1

Oregon

In Oregon, more than 2,000 wildfires burned more than 1.2 million acres in 2020, nearly double the 10-year average.

2

California

During 2020, more than 8,500 wildfires burned well over 4.1 million acres in California. The August Complex Fire in the northern end of the state charred more than a million acres across several counties, making it the first “gigafire” in modern history.

3

Washington

Washington state experienced multiple wildfires on both sides of the Cascade Mountain range during the 2020 wildfire season.

4

Colorado and Wyoming

Both Colorado and Wyoming experienced multiple large wildfires in 2020. The Red Cross worked with local partners to quickly respond and help families threatened by these dangerous fires.

5

Montana and Idaho

Local Red Cross teams in Montana and Idaho responded to multiple fires across each state for months during the 2020 wildfire season. With our partners, we were able to provide critical services to those impacted by these fires.

“The Red Cross workers on the ground or helping virtually, they are heroes, making a difference in people’s lives right now..." -Denise Everhart, division disaster executive for the Pacific Division of the Red Cross

The Red Cross Response One Year Later

Across the western U.S., the American Red Cross was on the ground for months to deliver vital aid for tens of thousands of residents who faced evacuation orders, imminent fire threats and heartbreaking losses amid an ongoing pandemic

While taking extra steps to keep people safe from COVID-19, thousands of Red Cross volunteers and employees worked night and day for months to provide safe shelter, meals, water, cleanup supplies, and health, mental health and spiritual care for survivors—many of whom saw their homes and belongings consumed by the flames. We also provided immediate financial assistance to help families address urgent needs for food, clothing, transportation and lodging.

Over the past year, the Red Cross has also offered additional financial assistance to some of the most severely impacted survivors, helping them on their path to recovery.

Recovery from destructive disasters like these is a team effort, and trained Red Cross volunteers and disaster workers have worked closely with nonprofit and civic organizations, local businesses and governments to care for communities and families through the recovery process. They stayed in touch with wildfire survivors to help plan their next steps and identify available recovery resources from partner organizations and government agencies. 

In addition to financial assistance and one-on-one support, the Red Cross is funding work carried out by partner organizations with specialized expertise to address unmet longer-term recovery needs in the affected communities and help their residents become better prepared for and more resilient against future crises. 

As of August 31, 2021, the Red Cross had already spent or made commitments to spend approximately $46.7 million on emergency relief and recovery efforts for these wildfires in California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, including specific expenses of $13.2 million that were reimbursed by the states of Oregon and Colorado. With the remaining funds, we will continue to provide services for long-term recovery in the impacted communities.

To learn more about our response, including financial information, click  here .


The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.