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        'Very frightening to everyone.' Red Cross CT volunteers on standby to help Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts

        Firefighters are working to contain at least three separate fires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings, and tens of thousands of acres of land.

        Justin DeVellis

        Jan 9, 2025, 2:44 AM

        Updated 13 hr ago

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        More help may be on the way for victims of deadly and massive wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
        Firefighters are working to contain at least three separate fires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings, and tens of thousands of acres of land.
        Multiple people are dead, many more have been injured and hundreds of thousands of people have been told to evacuate after California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday night.
        Jon Basso, of the American Red Cross Connecticut region, says local volunteers are on standby and could start flying across the country as soon as Thursday to help with relief efforts.
        "We're already mobilizing nationwide," Basso says. "This is going to be a big disaster."
        Basso went out to Northern California in 2020 to help with relief efforts for another wildfire.
        "It's very frightening to everyone," Basso says. "We don't want to have more people lose their homes. We're going to be there when they do, and we're going to help them."
        Connecticut saw its fair share of natural disasters and brush fires in 2024.
        The Hawthorne wildfire burned dozens of acres in Berlin, but was nowhere near as destructive as these wildfires raging right now near Los Angeles.
        In a statement, Stamford-based Americares says, "Our Emergency Response Team stands ready to address immediate health needs and restore health services for survivors."
        The organization says it has offered assistance to 72 clinic partners across California located in the path of the devastating Palisades, Hurst and Eaton wildfires.
        To donate to the American Red Cross, you can dial 1-800-RED CROSS or text 90999.