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Red Cross volunteers from New Jersey assist with SoCal wildfire relief

The Eaton and Palisades fires are now the most destructive fires in California’s history.

Matt Trapani

Jan 16, 2025, 5:33 PM

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Help from the Garden State is headed to communities in Southern California devastated by wildfires that sparked on Jan. 7.

The Eaton and Palisades fires are now the most destructive fires in California’s history. At least 24 people have died and more than a dozen are missing within the fire zone. Thousands of homes have been destroyed.

Rosie Taravella is the regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region. She is among six volunteers from New Jersey who are flying out to assist with recovery efforts. She says helping the people of California will take weeks or even months.

RELATED: Could a wildfire as devastating as the ones in California happen in New Jersey?

RELATED:'A hurricane with fire.' California residents with NJ ties describe wildfire’s impact

“We had over 700 people in our shelters last night…We do expect to be helping people throughout the next several weeks…I expect to see a lot of devastation,” she says.

Taravella says more than 400 Red Cross volunteers are currently in the area.

More information about how to donate to help with the immediate needs of the victims can be found HERE.

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