How you can help people affected by the North Bay fires (or get help if you are an evacuee)

Evacuee Luis Magana, 17, of Santa Rosa, tries to rest on a cot after spending the night at the Petaluma Community Center in Petaluma, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Fires ravaged the area and forced residents to evacuate their homes. less Evacuee Luis Magana, 17, of Santa Rosa, tries to rest on a cot after spending the night at the Petaluma Community Center in Petaluma, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. Fires ravaged the area and forced ... more Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 82 Caption Close How you can help people affected by the North Bay fires (or get help if you are an evacuee) 1 / 82 Back to Gallery

As the scope of the enormous Wine Country fires becomes apparent, it's clear that people and pets will need help in the days, weeks and months to come. If you're looking to assist, we've broken down some ways you can help both right now and any time:

HOW TO HELP RIGHT NOW:

• Santa Rosa has currently met its immediate requirement for volunteers, but they ask that people interested in volunteering or donating as-needed sign up with the Red Cross. The Red Cross has a sign-in sheet here. For Sonoma County, you may call 707-573-3399 if you're hoping to volunteer.

• The Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership has also been called in to help. As of Oct. 13, they are temporarily suspending new volunteer sign-ups, but for the latest updates check CVNL's Facebook page.

• Do not call emergency services unless you see active, unattended flames or a life-threatening situation. Emergency services around the Bay Area are overwhelmed right now, and do not need more calls unless you have an immediate emergency.

• Stay off the roads, if possible. You are hindering emergency vehicles and urgent evacuees from getting through.

HOW TO HELP ANY TIME:

• You can donate to the Red Cross, which helps distribute disaster relief aid. In addition to online donations, you can also call all 1-800 RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

• The United Way has a Wine Country page where you can donate. You can also text "WILDFIRE" to 40403 to make a pledge.

• Facebook has launched a "Crisis Center," where users can donate to a number of fundraisers and offer direct help to survivors.

• The Tipping Point Community started a fund to aid low-income communities affected by the fire.

• There are multiple crowd-funding campaigns online soliciting donations for fire victims. GoFundMe recommends this campaign. Petaluma-based Fundly recommends this one. The city of Santa Rosa has its own YouCaring page for Tubbs Fire victims.

• The Bay Area's sports team have banded together to create their own YouCaring page. #BayAreaUnite for California Fire Relief has a goal of $900,000.

• Russian River Brewing Company is launching a fundraiser for fire victims, and for every $25 given, you'll be entered for a chance to cut the line to get Pliny the Younger in 2018.

• Jewish Family and Children's Services is accepting donations to the Sonoma County Emergency Assistance Fund for fire relief.

• The Latino Community Foundation is accepting donations to benefit the North Bay Organizing Project, in Santa Rosa, La Luz Center, in Sonoma, and UpValley Family Centers in Calistoga.

The Redwood Credit Union has a fund set up to support Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Lake counties during the fire, pledging 100% of donations going to those affected.

The Community Foundation of Sonoma County has created a fund for the mid- and long-term needs of Sonoma County residents affected by the fires.

WHERE TO DROP OFF DONATIONS:

• Many of the shelters in Marin County are full and do not have space to take in donations. Here's where you can send help instead.

• The Redwood Empire Food Bank is accepting donations of food and money and also needs volunteers. Non-perishable and ready-to-eat items can be taken to 3990 Brickway Blvd., in Santa Rosa.



• Palo Alto's Home Care Assistance, which provides assisted living services for seniors, is accepting donated diapers, underpads, sanitary wipes, latex medical gloves, walkers, wheelchairs, canes and other supplies for the elderly or infirm who had to evacuate senior living facilities. For more info visit their website or call 650-462-9501. Monetary donations for this purpose can also be made to the Red Cross or Episcopal Senior Communities.

• Please note that many shelters have sufficient supplies. Monetary donations may be best, as families can use them to purchase what they need.

IF YOU ARE AN EVACUEE SEEKING AID:

Eligible residents and business owners of Butte, Lake, Napa, Mendocino, Sonoma and Yuba counties may now apply for federal aid. That can be done on the Disaster Assistance site or by calling 800-621-3362.

For everything on how fire victims can apply for tax relief and FEMA grants and loans, read this story.

A local assistance center for Santa Rosa fire victims is set up inside the Press Democrat building at 427 Mendocino Ave. in Santa Rosa. The center will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for at least two weeks.

Airbnb has also launched its Open Homes program for those seeking shelter free of charge at a residence outside of but nearby the affected area. The company is also looking for those willing to volunteer space at their local home for evacuees.

IF YOU HAVE A PET:

Multiple animal shelters are open to assist pet owners. They are:

• Napa County Animal Shelter at 942 Hartle Ct, Napa

• Marin Humane Society is also offering free shelter to pets, large and small.

• SPCA of Solano County (2200 Peabody Rd., Vacaville) has emergency housing for pets as well.