- Wildfires in California have reportedly destroyed about 12,000 structures leading to over 11 fatalities, with containment still a challenge.
- Ripple and MoonPay donated $50,000 worth of RLUSD to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, supporting first responders amid the crisis.
Wildfires raging across California have wreaked havoc on both lives and landscapes, leaving an unforgettable mark of destruction. Among the countless acts of resilience and aid, Ripple and MoonPay stepped forward with a 50,000 RLUSD donation to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The contribution is a lifeline for first responders battling unrelenting blazes in Los Angeles and nearby areas.
Ripple and @MoonPay have donated $50,000 of $RLUSD to @LAFDFoundation in support of the first responders on the frontlines of the California wildfires. We are continuing to evaluate how we can best help these critical efforts. #RippleImpact
— Ripple (@Ripple) January 10, 2025
Ripple is also exploring more ways to extend support during this crisis. With an 8% containment rate, the Palisades Fire alone has consumed over 21,000 acres, prompting widespread evacuation orders. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, raging in Pasadena, has devoured 14,000 acres, showing little sign of control.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his outrage over resource failures, from dry hydrants to undelivered water supplies. Calling for an independent investigation, Newsom demanded accountability for these lapses during one of the state’s most brutal fire seasons.
Bitcoin Savings Also Burned—Tragic Loss
Personal stories of tragedy make the wildfire crisis even more devastating. One Pasadena resident and his son, who had cerebral palsy, lost their lives because they couldn’t evacuate in time. Another heartbreaking tale involves a 70-year-old woman whose life savings were erased in minutes.
Her nephew revealed that her savings, stored as Bitcoin, were lost forever when her private key—written on paper—burned along with her house. This grim account underscores the far-reaching effects of the fires, leaving not only homes destroyed but futures irreparably changed.
Across Los Angeles, wildfires have wiped out 12,000 structures, leaving obliterated neighborhoods in their wake. Fueled by dry weather and powerful winds, the fires are raging in areas unaccustomed to such disasters, making containment efforts even harder.
Celebrities Join the Effort
Hollywood’s response has been swift. Celebrities are mobilizing their networks, donating money, and using their platforms to raise awareness for wildfire relief. Their involvement is bringing much-needed visibility to the plight of displaced families and overburdened firefighters.
An actress and a businesswoman, Chelsea and Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman are contributing $300,000 to Los Angeles fire relief, allocating $100,000 each to the LAFD Foundation, Pasadena Fire Department, and Salvation Army.
Chelsea and Freddie Freeman are donating $300,000 to Los Angeles fire relief efforts — $100,000 to each of the LAFD Foundation, the Pasadena Fire Department, and the Salvation Army.
Just wow.
The Freemans continue to be role models for the city of LA.https://t.co/MgybRWPudA
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) January 10, 2025
While these efforts are significant, the scale of devastation is unimaginable. Over 11 lives have already been lost, though authorities fear the number may climb as rescue teams sift through the wreckage of neighborhoods turned to ash.
The fires began on January 7, tearing through areas like Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and Calabasas. Entire streets have been erased, while nature and wildlife suffer incalculable losses. Officials are bracing for more severe winds next week, a grim forecast that could worsen the catastrophe.
