Monterey Firefighters collect donations for Camp Fire victims
Monterey Firefighters are collecting donations to take up to victims of the Camp Fire in Butte County.
The latest counts show the fire destroyed 11,713 homes and left 77 people dead. The missing list is at 993 and people in the towns of Paradise and Magalia haven't even started to pick up the pieces.
Now through Dec. 5, 2018 you can drop off donations of new clothing, new toys, diapers and other supplies at all Monterey Fire stations, My Museum and Bay View Academy Schools.
The greatest need is for gift cards to stores such as Target, Walmart, Safeway or Lucky's and monetary donations. People can also donate online directly to the Monterey Fireman's Charitable Association Fund.
Donations have already started to pour into stations in response to the drive. As of Monday two donors had already written $1,000 checks and one woman had given her RV trailer to help get at least one family out of tents and under a roof.
Monterey Firefighters Association Local 3707 is organizing the drive. The crew plans to bring all the supplies to the area in December. Moda moving has already promised a moving truck and a driver for the haul.
Two crews of firefighters from Monterey stations have been helping with fire relief since shortly after the fire got started.
"They have called back and they just said it is absolutely devastating, they've gone from fighting fires, to sifting through ashes, to body recovery, I mean you name it they are right there on the front lines seeing just the tragedy," Pantoja said.
The crews on the frontline of the fire have already been helping folks affected and will have direct access to hand out donations.
The Camp Fire is already the deadliest fire in California history and the most destructive.