This week's fires in Southern California once again showed how much of a threat a small tinder can become, how we're still unprepared to deal with it, but also, even when things seem to be bleak for many in America, our best nature comes out in times of need.
Because of the nature of my work, I live part time in Los Angeles, but spend a lot of time in Pennsylvania and consider it my home. So, this week I was in the interesting position of being able to look upon what was unraveling in the area both as an objective outsider, but, at the same time, taking a deep personal interest in what was happening to the place I spend so much of my time.
Objectively, it's tough to ignore the impact that two of the largest issues facing America and the world have had on this natural disaster.
Global warming, scientists almost universally agree, are beginning to significantly impact temperatures, which affect weather patterns to the ecosystem. Because of less rain and longer Santa Ana winds, the "Fires are burning hotter and bigger, becoming more damaging and dangerous to people and to property," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell. "Each year the fire season comes earlier and lasts longer." This is far from just a Southern California problem, however. The UN Commission on Climate Change has studied areas of the earth that are getting hotter and dryer, and predict similar fires breaking out, globally. Perhaps most scary is how global warming helps fuel these fires, which, in turn, fuel global warming. According to one expert, almost 20 million tons of greenhouse gasses, as much as is emitted from 3.6 million cars a year, have been unleashed by this latest fire.
The other objective finding is that the war in Iraq did impact the ability of the state to respond to the fires as forcefully, initially, as it may have otherwise. While California does have a significant number of national guard troops in Iraq, many are at home, and Governor Schwarzenegger called up 1700 of them to aid in the firefighting efforts (though, shortages in manpower did mean he had to pull 400 of them from the Mexico border). However, what is a concern, and has been a worry for a while, is that equipment that the California National Guard sends to Iraq stays in Iraq.
More than six months ago, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, "As state forestry officials predict an unusually harsh fire season this summer, the California National Guard says equipment shortages could hinder the guard's response to a large-scale disaster." And so it was, as this week, California had to request the use of Pentagon equipment, because they didn't have enough of their own.
Nonetheless, this week, I also put aside policy, as I thought of my friends in the region, if they were OK, if their families were suffering. I went to church, to pray for all of them, and all those in the region.
When I was at mass the other day, they collected money to help those in need in Southern California. I gave, of course. We prayed for specific people, and asked some people to tell their story. One parishioner whose brother was displaced by the fire asked us to pray for his cat. It's a story I can chuckle at now, but in the midst of it all, this woman wasn't sure if his pet was alive or dead, burnt along with so many houses and trees. Thankfully, our prayers were answered and despite not being in his home, not knowing if they have one to go back to, and seeing the pain and suffering of so many he is helping (her brother is a Sheriff), the kitty was found and brought his family peace and happiness at a tough time.
Also, a prayer need not end in Amen or even involve God if you are not a person of faith. Prayer is a chance to take a moment of reflection and realize and feel the solidarity with your fellow Americans, their suffering, and also their hope. So after you write a check take a moment to send your well wishes and recall a time when you were in need and would have liked someone to do the same for you, and my hunch is, someone did. Who knows? After coming back from my Travel Channel show Miracle Quest, I have come to believe that our thoughts may be more powerful than we realize.
It's a reminder that within this huge region that's burning, there are very real individual lives being affected. Some people are losing their homes. But they're also losing family keepsakes, photos, and yes, even some pets.
That's why it's so heartening to see such an outpouring of charitable support for these people in their time of need -- many of whom I would consider neighbors. Donations are flooding into many California charities, across the country. Like we did with Katrina and the Tsunamis, we are showing our awesome capacity for good, when others are in need.
So, even though you might not live out on the West Coast, and maybe you don't have family there, join the cause of helping out those in need in this trying time in Southern California
Charities say the best donation for Southern California fire victims is money.
Disaster response organizations are unable to accept or collect individual donations such as clothes, shoes or toys during major emergencies, Red Cross officials said Wednesday.
Agencies like St. Vincent De Paul, Goodwill or the Salvation Army are better equipped to get quality used goods to needy families, they said.
Here are some of the agencies collecting donations for fire victims, their phone numbers and Web sites:
-- American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: 800-HELP-NOW or 800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers, http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
Corporations and businesses interested in making in-kind donations may call 800-746-5463.
-- San Diego Food Bank: 866-350-3663, http://www.sandiegofoodbank.org/
-- Goodwill Southern California: 888-4-GOODWILL, http://www.goodwillsocal.org/
-- Salvation Army Southern California: 213-896-9160, http://www.salvationarmysocal.org/
-- Governor's Office of Emergency Services: 800-750-2858, http://www.californiavolunteers.org/
-- Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: 888-SPCA-LA1, http://www.spcala.com/
