Salem, OR – Thousands of families in Los Angeles are grappling with the aftermath of the devastating Palisades Fire, which has destroyed homes and left many residents displaced. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as officials work to understand the scope of the disaster. Meanwhile, help is coming from across the country, with volunteers from Oregon stepping in to provide much-needed assistance.
On Thursday, 20 volunteers from the American Red Cross in Oregon boarded flights to Los Angeles to support those affected by the fire. Their tasks include working in emergency shelters, delivering food and water, and distributing clothing to families who have lost everything.
One of the volunteers, Darrell Fuller, has a long history of responding to fire emergencies. A seasoned Red Cross volunteer since 2018, Fuller has been to California more times than he can remember, helping during some of the state’s most destructive fires. He described the Palisades Fire as one of the largest he has encountered, noting the difficulty of predicting the scale of the response needed. “We know we had 1,000 people in our shelters last night; it could be twice that tonight,” Fuller said as he prepared to board his plane to Los Angeles.
Despite the ongoing efforts on the ground, many individuals in Portland, Oregon, are feeling the pull to help but find themselves limited by the physical distance. One such person is Michaela Cotter, an investigative producer for FOX 12, who grew up in the Palisades neighborhood. Her 85-year-old mother, who still lived in her childhood home, was evacuated earlier this week. Cotter’s mother, fortunately, was quickly rescued by a neighbor, but she left behind all of her belongings.
“I just want to hop in my car and go down there,” Cotter said, expressing the emotional turmoil of being far from loved ones during such a crisis. “It’s crazy that the fire can take away your whole world. Will I find something from my childhood? I don’t know.”
Though Cotter’s family is safe for now, the uncertainty of what they may have lost remains. For many in Portland and beyond, the desire to assist those in need is strong, but the geographical distance and the scale of the disaster make it difficult to offer immediate aid.
As the Palisades Fire continues to ravage the area, efforts to provide shelter and resources for those displaced remain a top priority. Volunteers like Darrell Fuller and others from across the country are playing a crucial role in supporting the relief efforts. However, the emotional toll on those with personal ties to the affected area is undeniable, as they grapple with the devastation from afar.
