wildfire response

When the Los Angeles wildfires spread across the region, many families in the San Gabriel Valley and foothill communities faced evacuation, smoke damage, and sudden loss. The fires also exposed how unevenly resources were distributed, leaving the most vulnerable communities without the support they needed.

In response, SGV Progressive Action organized a regional mutual aid effort to collect and deliver supplies directly to frontline responders and impacted families. Volunteers gathered masks, water, air purifiers, pet supplies, food, and protective gear, and coordinated drop-offs to sites where support was needed most.

A core part of this effort focused on supporting Indigenous firefighters and communities protecting their land and practicing traditional fire management. Working alongside United American Indian Involvement, Inc., we delivered medicine, clothing, and essential supplies to Altadena and other local hubs connected to Native first responders and families.

These efforts reminded us that disasters are not just natural events. They are shaped by climate injustice, systemic underinvestment, and the ongoing erasure of Indigenous knowledge and stewardship. Our response was rooted in solidarity, care, and the understanding that community networks often move faster and more compassionately than institutional systems.

The wildfires showed us the urgency of climate justice and the importance of supporting those on the front lines. It also showed us that when crisis hits, the San Gabriel Valley shows up for one another.