October is typically the wildfires season in Southern California. The wildfires are especially dangerous due to the fierce Santa Ana winds. In October of 2003, the San Fernando Valley suffered from massive wildfires; on October 12, 2008, wildfires once again ravaged the San Fernando Valley. The wildfires this year began in Lake View Terrance and Sylmar, but quickly spread to Porter Ranch, Sesnon and Simi Valley. Not only did the wildfires occur in different locations, the wind direction continued to change, making it difficult for the firefighters to contain the fires.

Tzu Chi USA Headquarters immediately established the Tzu Chi USA Southern California Wildfires Relief Coordination Center and mobilized its volunteers. On October 14 and 15, volunteers were dispatched to assess the needs at the shelters in Porter Ranch and San Fernando High School.

Most of the residents in Porter Ranch have higher-than-average income, and their homes are often insured. Therefore, they did not need any material aid, so their main need was emotional support. In addition, most of the residents in Porter Ranch were able to return home after 10pm on October 14, leaving only 12 people in the shelter on October 15.

The situation in San Fernando High School was quite different. Most of the residents in the area have lower-than-average income and live in mobile homes. Since many of the mobile homes were not insured, the residents were left with nothing after their homes were destroyed. Many of the residents in the area only spoke Spanish, so on October 14, Tzu Chi volunteers used the universal language of music to provide warmth and comfort to the residents temporarily staying in the shelter.

On October 15, less television and other media reporters were at the shelter in San Fernando High School; however, the number of people staying in the shelter increased. Government employees provided explanation in Spanish on how to apply for the Low Income Housing Section, while Tzu Chi volunteers interacted with the English-speaking residents and asked them to contact Tzu Chi if they have any specific needs that Tzu Chi could provide assistance with.

A pregnant lady told volunteers that when they were notified to evacuate, they did not have time to bring anything with them. Now that their mobile home was completely destroyed, they have nothing! With their third child on the way, they did not know where they were going to go. Since they were renting the mobile home and they did not have renter’s insurance, their future now seemed so distant to them. After hearing her story, Tzu Chi volunteers asked her to leave their contact information so Tzu Chi could contact them to further assess their immediate and long-term needs and provide the appropriate assistance.

Tzu Chi Northwest Los Angeles Service Center started serving hot meals to the wildfires evacuees on October 15. On October 16, Tzu Chi began working with the American Red Cross and DPSS to provide assistance at the one-stop help center in Hubert Humphrey Recreation Center, Pacoima. The assistance provided by Tzu Chi included the distribution of emergency cash cards (between $200 to $500 per household, depending on the situation) and blankets (made from recycled plastic bottles).

“As long as there is love, there is hope.” And with everyone’s efforts in forming good thoughts, speaking good words and doing good deeds, the world will become a better place to live in.

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