Wisconsin Red Cross provides relief and resources to victims of California fires

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The American Red Cross in Wisconsin is helping with the wildfire response in California. Several fires are still burning, and thousands of crew members are fighting the blaze from the ground and the air.

Red Cross’s disaster program manager says there are still red flag warnings in many areas until noon Wednesday because of those dry winds returning.

“We are still at a point where we need to prepare to respond, prepare to evacuate, and ensure that life safety is the number one focus,” said Audret Erdmann.

Erdmann is just one of many staff members from the American Red Cross who have traveled to Southern California from Wisconsin to help. Erdmann says this is a difficult time for shelter residents because the impact from the fires is still not over.

Many shelter residents can’t work towards recovery and rebuilding. Erdmann says right now, in the Red Cross shelter in Pasadena, there are 500 people including 11 dogs, six cats, and a bird.

Erdmann says the Red Cross is working with local organizations in California to help provide services such as health care, clothes, and showers.

“We do have mental health support on-site at the shelters, a tremendous amount of support for them, because we understand. This is incredibly difficult, to leave behind your house and have no idea if it's gone, if it's there,” said Erdmann.

The Red Cross says because recovery will take several months, they will be sending more people to affected neighborhoods in the coming months.