Friend — Devastating. This is what climate change looks like.

Over 5 million acres have burned across California, Oregon, and Washington. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes. At least 27 people are dead.

Making matters worse, the destructive wildfires are filling the air with toxic smoke — with the West Coast experiencing the worst air quality in the world. And exposure to air pollution may increase the likelihood of both being infected with and dying from COVID-19.

This is an unconscionable humanitarian crisis.

But we know this crisis is not impacting all communities in the same way — in fact, it is exacerbating existing systemic racial and environmental injustice. The legacy of structural discrimination has limited access to quality health care and pushed low-income, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color into jobs that cause them to be disproportionately exposed — and more likely to die — from COVID-19. These same communities are also now facing horrific situations due to the wildfires.

Among the most exposed to the unhealthy air quality due to the wildfires are farmworkers. Consider that in California, employers are required to provide outdoor workers with respiratory protection if the air quality reaches a certain threshold, but a recent survey found that farmworkers mostly weren't getting them. Many farmworkers — unable to access government benefits or lacking adequate healthcare — can't afford to miss work. No one should have to choose between earning a wage and their own health and safety.

LCV and our partners in the Conservation Voter Movement, including California LCV, Oregon LCV, and Washington Conservation Voters, are continuing the fight for just and equitable solutions to the climate crisis. But right now, one of the most important things we can do is to support relief efforts in those communities most impacted. Here are just a few organizations providing much-needed help and services right now:

• United Farm Workers Foundation provides essential services, including financial assistance to affected communities and protective equipment such as masks. Donate »
• Latino Community Foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund is deploying contributions to Latino-led organizations supporting families displaced by the current wildfires in California. Donate »
• GoFundMe.org's Wildfire Relief Fund will issue grants to individuals, organizations, and communities that have either been impacted themselves or are dedicated to helping those affected by wildfires. Donate »
• California Fire Foundation provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and communities. Donate »
• Rogue Valley Relief Fund (OR) provides supplies for those impacted by fires in the short term and long term help to rebuild lives — prioritizing those with least access to aid. Donate »
• Oregon Food Bank's Wildfire Response helps local families, farmers, ranchers and first responders who have been affected by wildfires throughout the region. Donate »
• United Way of Whitman County Fire Community Relief Fund (WA) will help those impacted by this disaster, prioritizing support for the families and individuals displaced by the fires. Donate »
• American Red Cross mobilizes relief efforts, including providing food, lodging, water, supplies, and other assistance to those impacted by wildfires across CA, OR, and WA. Donate »

Thank you for supporting these communities in need.

Madeleine Foote
League of Conservation Voters