Thank you for wanting to help, Leah. Those are just a few options I know are reputable. Part of the tragedy is that I would guess all of these fires are human-caused, whether intentional or not. That is sobering and scary.
Like ameliorating climate change, as Susan A points out below with the post from Bill McKibben. That's part of lifting each other and this earth, seems to me.
Thank you for the links--Bill and I are donating to the Pasadena Humane Society. I know the work that went into compiling that list--we're grateful. I also want to share Bill McKibben's post this morning, on climate change and these fires: https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/the-la-fires-and-the-big-bang In the larger sense, these fires are all human-caused.
I saw that Bill McKibben post and haven't had time to read it yet. Thanks for sharing it. And of course, climate change is the driver of the extraordinary drought and winds. But people deliberately lit at least one of these fires, and that's just as frightening, I think.
Unfortunately these events are likely to continue. We needed to have started work on this probably thirty years ago at least. However for now we have to deal with what is, not what could be. I sent a small donation to Global Giving for starters.
This terrible tragedy is hard to even visualize unless one has seen such a fire. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything.
David, Thank you for your words. I agree that we are way behind on recognizing and ameliorating global climate change. (And on restoring native vegetation in fire-prone places like the LA foothills, where part of the fire issue is all of the flammable non-natives people plant around their houses.) As you say, we have to deal with what is, and one way we can help is do just what you did: donate to an organization that will help those affected. Blessings!
You are welcome, Cherie. It is such a huge tragedy, and so many have lost homes and means of support. This is like Hurricane Helene (also climate-change-driven) and these kinds of disasters are going to become more frequent, I'm afraid. Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you for these heartfelt words, Susan. I'm glad you mentioned Jimmy Carter at the end. Today he was laid to rest. May his example of selflessness and compassion live on. May his example as what President Biden (at the funeral) called "a practitioner of good works" inspire us all to help --- wherever and whenever we can. I so appreciate your pivot to write this piece today. May all beings in the way of danger be able to find safety. 🙏🏽
Thank you for these resources to donate, Susan. I will make use of them myself and forward them to others I think will do so. The quotes you've included are apt and true - I will explore them further also. My heart breaks for all of those affected by the fires, human, animal, and lands.💚
Jenny, thank you for your generous heart! What breaks my heart is that most of the attention is going to the wealthy neighborhoods, and not the middle-class and culturally diverse places like Altadena, where at least 5,000 homes were burned and people lost everything they had worked so hard for. Plus the fact that all of those non-native plants crisped by the drought are a huge part of what turned fires into firestorms. The native chaparral shrubland plants are adapted to fire.
I have also been struck by how the media highlights the plight of celebrities. What about the normal people? The animals and plants? Yes, I agree the non-native plants are a huge fire danger. Think of cheat grass!
Exactly: the ordinary people and the community of the land aren't apparently newsworthy. As for invasives, LA has so overwhelmed with them that I'm not sure anyone knows how many there are. In my newsletter today, I'm including a link to a story about neighborhood seed libraries for replanting natives and edibles in Altadena. A welcome bit of good news!
That is terrible. What a horrible experience this is for so many. I can't imagine it will be quick for them getting back to normal, if they ever do. I think about so many things I take for granted and home is one of them.
Trevy, I agree. I think when the shock wears off, the challenge will be to figure out what "normal" is now. As with the Marshall Fire outside Boulder, Colorado, another house-to-house-to-house firestorm where the houses ignited each other, some people will rebuild and some won't. Three years later, the neighborhoods in the Marshall Fire are still under construction. Home is so central to our identities, and community is what nurtures our everyday lives.
Thank you, Lou. I'm heartbroken for all in the LA Basin. Even if you didn't lose your house and whole community, I think people there are traumatized by the feeling that they are no longer safe.
Susan, it sounds like you're practicing "generosity" by giving, an important part of buddhist practice. So yes you are looking at spirituality in action. Bless you!
Thank you for that insight, Dami. The power of practicing our innate affection for this earth and all the lives with whom we share the planet is that it allows us to live with heart outstretched, which is my everyday aim. Blessings back to you!
Thanks for lifting up ways to help. What a tragedy!
Thank you for wanting to help, Leah. Those are just a few options I know are reputable. Part of the tragedy is that I would guess all of these fires are human-caused, whether intentional or not. That is sobering and scary.
Scary indeed. And so much we need to do NOW to reduce the potential for such destructive fires.
Like ameliorating climate change, as Susan A points out below with the post from Bill McKibben. That's part of lifting each other and this earth, seems to me.
Thank you for the links--Bill and I are donating to the Pasadena Humane Society. I know the work that went into compiling that list--we're grateful. I also want to share Bill McKibben's post this morning, on climate change and these fires: https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/the-la-fires-and-the-big-bang In the larger sense, these fires are all human-caused.
I saw that Bill McKibben post and haven't had time to read it yet. Thanks for sharing it. And of course, climate change is the driver of the extraordinary drought and winds. But people deliberately lit at least one of these fires, and that's just as frightening, I think.
Thank you for these resources. I believe that in a way, it is a spiritual act to try to do something to help when there is devastation like this.
Amen, Christina! And thanks for that reminder.
https://www.philanthropyca.org/2025-california-disaster-response Here is another good resource.
Thanks, Martha! It's good to have more resources.
Unfortunately these events are likely to continue. We needed to have started work on this probably thirty years ago at least. However for now we have to deal with what is, not what could be. I sent a small donation to Global Giving for starters.
This terrible tragedy is hard to even visualize unless one has seen such a fire. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything.
David, Thank you for your words. I agree that we are way behind on recognizing and ameliorating global climate change. (And on restoring native vegetation in fire-prone places like the LA foothills, where part of the fire issue is all of the flammable non-natives people plant around their houses.) As you say, we have to deal with what is, and one way we can help is do just what you did: donate to an organization that will help those affected. Blessings!
These links are super helpful! Thank you Susan!
You are welcome, Cherie. It is such a huge tragedy, and so many have lost homes and means of support. This is like Hurricane Helene (also climate-change-driven) and these kinds of disasters are going to become more frequent, I'm afraid. Blessings to you and yours!
Thanks once again for your writings Susan!
Thank you for reading and for your support, Sue!
Thank you for these heartfelt words, Susan. I'm glad you mentioned Jimmy Carter at the end. Today he was laid to rest. May his example of selflessness and compassion live on. May his example as what President Biden (at the funeral) called "a practitioner of good works" inspire us all to help --- wherever and whenever we can. I so appreciate your pivot to write this piece today. May all beings in the way of danger be able to find safety. 🙏🏽
Amen, Jeanne! Blessings to you and yours.
Deep gratitude, Susan.
Thank you, Janisse. Deep bow of gratitude to you for all you do!
Thank you, Susan. It is time to try to help with whatever we can!
It is indeed time to help in whatever way we can. As Yoda famously said to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, "Do or do not. There is no try." So we'll do!
Thank you for these resources to donate, Susan. I will make use of them myself and forward them to others I think will do so. The quotes you've included are apt and true - I will explore them further also. My heart breaks for all of those affected by the fires, human, animal, and lands.💚
Jenny, thank you for your generous heart! What breaks my heart is that most of the attention is going to the wealthy neighborhoods, and not the middle-class and culturally diverse places like Altadena, where at least 5,000 homes were burned and people lost everything they had worked so hard for. Plus the fact that all of those non-native plants crisped by the drought are a huge part of what turned fires into firestorms. The native chaparral shrubland plants are adapted to fire.
I have also been struck by how the media highlights the plight of celebrities. What about the normal people? The animals and plants? Yes, I agree the non-native plants are a huge fire danger. Think of cheat grass!
Exactly: the ordinary people and the community of the land aren't apparently newsworthy. As for invasives, LA has so overwhelmed with them that I'm not sure anyone knows how many there are. In my newsletter today, I'm including a link to a story about neighborhood seed libraries for replanting natives and edibles in Altadena. A welcome bit of good news!
This is good news! I will look forward to reading about the seed libraries.
Thank you for organizing resources. I donated and I hope your family is safe
Thank you, Trevy. And yes, my family is safe, but one of my friends in Altadena lost their house and everything. I am heartsick.
That is terrible. What a horrible experience this is for so many. I can't imagine it will be quick for them getting back to normal, if they ever do. I think about so many things I take for granted and home is one of them.
Trevy, I agree. I think when the shock wears off, the challenge will be to figure out what "normal" is now. As with the Marshall Fire outside Boulder, Colorado, another house-to-house-to-house firestorm where the houses ignited each other, some people will rebuild and some won't. Three years later, the neighborhoods in the Marshall Fire are still under construction. Home is so central to our identities, and community is what nurtures our everyday lives.
Absolutely
Oh my goodness. I can't even imagine, Susan. But I'm glad your family is safe.
Thank you, Lou. I'm heartbroken for all in the LA Basin. Even if you didn't lose your house and whole community, I think people there are traumatized by the feeling that they are no longer safe.
Susan, it sounds like you're practicing "generosity" by giving, an important part of buddhist practice. So yes you are looking at spirituality in action. Bless you!
Thank you for that insight, Dami. The power of practicing our innate affection for this earth and all the lives with whom we share the planet is that it allows us to live with heart outstretched, which is my everyday aim. Blessings back to you!