As the Park Fire — now one of the largest in state history — continues to threaten homes and communities in Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and The PG&E Corporation Foundation report they are providing charitable funding for emergency shelter, food and other needs.
PG&E and the foundation are contributing $50,000 to the North Valley Community Foundation, which provides grants to other nonprofit groups to support immediate fire response needs, and $35,000 to the North Valley Animal Disaster Group for evacuation and shelter of small and large animals. The two entities are also working with several other community groups in the impacted counties that have requested funding.
“Our hearts are broken for the communities impacted by this fire, and we’re sensitive to the trauma that all residents in the North Valley are suffering,” said Alexa Benson-Valavanis, North Valley Community Foundation president and CEO. “We know there will be both immediate and long-term needs as a result of the Park Fire, and we will be here for as long as it takes. We cannot thank PG&E Foundation enough for its generosity to help in that difficult recovery.”
These charitable contributions are part of a larger $950,000 charitable funding commitment to bolster wildfire preparedness, relief and recovery efforts in PG&E’s service area this wildfire season. So far this year, 778,000 acres have burned in California wildfires. That’s compared to nearly 26,000 acres total last year, and 166,200 acres on average the past five years, reports PG&E.
Funding for local nonprofits and community-based organizations prioritizes immediate response needs, food insecurity and assistance for youth, focused on underserved communities. This commitment supports PG&E’s and the foundation’s goals of preparing communities for natural disasters and responding to hometowns in need, report the organizations.
“Sadly, many people impacted by the Park Fire have experienced devastating wildfires before,” said Joe Wilson, PG&E vice president, North Valley and Sierra. “We’re grateful to those on the frontlines — the courageous firefighters working to save homes and put out the fire, and the nonprofits and their many volunteers who give care and comfort to those who’ve had to evacuate or lost their homes.”
American Red Cross partnership
In addition to the $950,000 to support wildfire relief and recovery efforts in 2024, The PG&E Corporation Foundation reports it is giving up to $750,000 to the American Red Cross to support fire safety preparedness in PG&E’s service area through mid-2025, primarily in communities with elevated and extreme high wildfire risk, and for emergency response when wildfires erupt.
“Keeping our customers and communities safe is PG&E’s most important responsibility,” said Mark Quinlan, PG&E senior vice president of wildfire and emergency operations and American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region board member. “When disaster strikes, our crews are working round the clock to restore power, just as our partners at the American Red Cross are providing basic needs like shelter and food to those impacted by the fire. And together, we’re there for the long haul, helping communities recover and rebuild.”
“PG&E’s support of our disaster relief work is crucial to making our mission possible, especially during large events like the Park Fire,” said Hanna Malak, regional CEO of the American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region. “Equally as important is our work around preventing fires, both inside and outside the home. The foundation’s gift toward fire safety and preparedness will go a long way toward helping the Red Cross fortify our communities against disasters like home fires. We are grateful for their support.”
Currently, the foundation funding is helping serve Park Fire evacuees in a Red Cross shelter in Tehama County. More information on open Red Cross shelters throughout California is available online. Those interested can also donate to American Red Cross relief efforts.
PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation have supported the Red Cross for more than 12 years of disaster relief, education and outreach. PG&E’s charitable donations come from PG&E shareholders and other sources, not PG&E customers.
Information provided by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
