Helping Families After California’s Erskine Fire

National Headquarters | July 12, 2016

California’s Erskine Fire, which began June 23rd and burned more than 48,000 acres causing $22.6 million in damage, was the most destructive fire in the history of Kern County.

Days of Distribution

3

Families Helped

217

Total Aid

$95,450

Volunteers Involved

59

Tzu Chi volunteers conducted a disaster assessment in the most devastated areas, and began providing disaster relief to families affected by the wildfire soon after.

On July 6 volunteers from Los Angeles distributed $18,400 in Kern County, benefitting 44 local families.

They hosted a second distribution on July 7th, the next day, providing an additional $36,750 in disaster relief to 83 families.

A team from KBAK & KBFX Eyewitness News was on hand to report on the distribution, and although most people interviewed had not heard of Tzu Chi before, they were full of gratitude for the aid they received and many were eager to donate to benefit others in the future was well.

Tzu Chi hosted a third distribution in Kern County on Sunday, July 10th, distributing another $41,300 to help 90 more families recovering from the damage caused by the Erskine Fire.