Instead of donating goods to local fire victims in need, Los Angeles County and city officials urge individuals wanting to help to instead make monetary contributions to a local nonprofit organization supporting residents displaced by the Woolsey fire.

Due to the large-scale deployment of first responders to the region, multiple road and freeway closures, and other hazards, officials warn members of the public to avoid entering impacted areas. Fire-affected areas need to remain clear for first responders, evacuation efforts and emergency infrastructure repair efforts.

The most useful form of assistance for fire victims’ recovery is donations of money. Organizations actively involved in response efforts, such as the American Red Cross, need flexibility to provide disaster victims food, clothing, bedding and other items most in need. Donations can also be used for cleaning materials, transportation help and medical supplies.

With monetary donations, the difficult and labor-intensive efforts to sort, store and repackage donated or in-kind goods should be avoided. Instead, nonprofits can provide direct support to residents in need. Once immediate needs are met, nonprofit organizations will continue to support victims for weeks, months and even years later.

“During a natural disaster with constant images of destruction on television and social media, public reaction is to want to help, and we are so grateful for that support,” said Maria Gutierrez, sheriff’s department chief and director of the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center. “The easiest and most effective way to get support to those who need it most is to donate to organizations offering direct assistance.”

Officials said members of the public have responded generously to fire victims’ needs.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the generosity of Angelenos as we continue to receive donations for first responders and impacted residents,” said Aram Sahakian, general manager of the city of Los Angeles’ Emergency Management Department. “The most effective and efficient way to get the right resources to the right people is through monetary donations. Thank you again for your support as we continue to respond to these fires.”

Officials also caution members of the public to beware of financial scams related to wildfire recovery support, urging that donations be made to reputable first responder, relief and animal-aid organizations, such as redcross.org, unitedwayla.org, lacountyanimals.org and twitter.com/lafdfoundation.

For information, visit lacounty.gov/woolseyfire.

State contractors board warns residents to avoid unlicensed contractors for cleanup, repairs, rebuilding

The Contractors State License Board is reaching out to the thousands of residents in both northern and southern California to urge them to only hire California-licensed contractors to help with clean-up, repairs or rebuilding.

The board is also warning unlicensed contractors that if they’re caught trying to contract without a license in a declared disaster area, they could face felony charges.

States of emergency have been declared in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

“The stories of survival we’ve heard this week have highlighted how disasters bring out the very best in many, with neighbors helping neighbors, and strangers helping strangers,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Unfortunately, we’ve learned that it’s likely to also bring out the worst in some, who may try to take advantage of vulnerable survivors. So now, more than ever, homeowners need to be careful about hiring reputable people to clean-up, repair or rebuild their property.”