How News Networks Are Aiding Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Efforts

The wildfires that have raged in the Los Angeles area since Jan. 7 have resulted in large-scale amounts of property destruction and people displacement. With the death toll still climbing and over 12,000 structures damaged, it is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, with an estimated price tag of between $250-$275 billion.

Local and national news outlets have been on top of the disaster since its onset, devoting resources and airtime to updating audiences on the calamity. Amidst all the reporting, they have also sought to be good community stewards by promoting call-to-action initiatives that encourage donations to assist all those affected by the tragedy.  

Here’s how networks have sought to aid relief efforts to assist all those affected by the wildfires.

ABC News

ABC News Group is expanding its SoCal Strong across its platforms on Jan 17. The network-wide relief effort, which has raised nearly $6.5 million so far, will be focused on driving recovery, rebuilding, and resilience, highlighting ways that viewers can support local organizations aiding fire-impacted L.A. residents.

Good Morning America aired its Friday edition from L.A. with co-anchors Michael Strahan and Robin Roberts as well as chief meteorologist Ginger Zee spotlighting the resilience of families who lost their homes to the wildfires and the first responders and volunteers who have played essential roles in the recovery. That reporting continued throughout the day, along with information about how viewers can help.

CBS News

Paramount Global, CBS News and Stations’ parent company, is donating $1 million across organizations supporting firefighting and relief efforts. CBS, which launched a Red Cross PSA, has also started driving donations to the Red Cross.

On the local front, the owned and operated affiliate station CBS Los Angeles (KCAL/KCBS) has already raised $850k for relief efforts.