A wave of support has poured in from major companies, unions, and individuals, all uniting to aid the victims of the LA Wildfires. Among the key efforts are financial contributions, resources, and direct assistance, as various initiatives continue to provide relief to those impacted by the devastating fires. Let's take a closer look at some of the main initiatives.
First, Comcast NBCUniversal is supporting its local employees and fellow Southern Californians by donating $10 million towards Los Angeles wildfire relief and recovery efforts. The company pledged $2.5 million as part of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative on Monday. Additional resources will be directed to the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
Another major player involved is Paramount, which will donate $1 million to Los Angeles fire relief while also offering cash grants and temporary housing to employees displaced from their homes. Paramount’s donations will be distributed across several organizations, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Red Cross, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen, and Best Friends Animal Society.
In addition, Paramount is providing cash grants to employees displaced by the wildfires through the company’s Employee Assistance Fund. These grants are intended to help cover emergency evacuation costs, disaster recovery, and unforeseen expenses. The company is also offering lodging and temporary housing assistance, as well as emotional support for employees and their families during this challenging time.
In the same vein, Disney has committed $15 million to support fire relief and rebuilding efforts in the Los Angeles area. In addition to this generous donation, the entertainment giant plans to further bolster its Employee Relief Fund to assist those directly affected by the destruction. Disney also expressed its intention to collaborate closely with the business community to identify additional ways to support essential rebuilding initiatives in the region. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly working on temporary housing for employees affected by the fires. Also, Fox Corp. has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross.
Several actors and actresses have also stepped up to support wildfire relief efforts. Jamie Lee Curtis, a resident of the charred Pacific Palisades, announced on January 9 via social media that her family foundation would pledge $1 million to "start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there."
In addition, Steve Gutenberg, known for “Three Men and a Baby”, made headlines when he advised residents abandoning their cars to leave the keys inside so first responders could move them to safety. Sharon Stone has been actively promoting +COOP, a boutique-turned-fire-relief pop-up, which collects donated items such as clothes, blankets, and shoes. Along with other actors like Halle Berry, Stone has donated personal items to help those affected by the fires.
Unions have also played an active role in supporting wildfire relief efforts. SAG-AFTRA announced that it is making a $1 million donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation to assist members experiencing hardship caused by the Los Angeles fires. Since the fires broke out, the union has temporarily closed its office in Los Angeles for safety’s sake, with staff working to support members remotely, and it has kept members informed and connected to emergency resources.
Also, SAG-AFTRA and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation have provided resources and support to members whenever and wherever in the nation disaster has struck, from the flooding in New York due to Superstorm Sandy to the hurricanes in the Southeast and beyond.
How production continues in this context remains uncertain and varies. Currently, CBS has announced that it will resume production on four of its shows after receiving clearance from the company’s health and safety teams. “NCIS”, “NCIS: Origins”, “Poppa’s House”, and “The Neighborhood” are all set to resume production on Monday, despite the ongoing LA wildfires.
These productions will take place on closed sound stages, with CBS’ security, health, and safety teams closely monitoring them throughout the day. Any cast or crew members affected by the fires and unable to safely reach the set are encouraged not to return to work, and they will continue to receive their regular pay.
However, other productions like “After Midnight” and “The Price Is Right”, which are filmed in front of a studio audience, will not be returning just yet. These shows are still on hold as the safety of cast, crew, and audience members remains a priority amid the ongoing wildfire crisis.
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