Wildfires rage across Southern California
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Our teams have mobilized across the region to provide immediate relief. We are working with restaurant and food truck partners to provide comforting meals.
The Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton wildfires have forced approximately 30,000 residents to evacuate from areas like Pacific Palisades. The fires have consumed nearly 4,000 acres and threaten over 13,000 structures. Power outages have affected more than 200,000 people.
Firefighters are battling the blazes amid strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 100 mph, hindering efforts. Severe wind and fire warnings remain in effect for the region as of Wednesday morning.
WCK teams have mobilized across Southern California to support anyone in need. We have served more than 1 million meals to date.
Meal Distribution Sites
WCK is distributing free hot meals to first responders and the public at several locations in Southern California in response to the wildfires.
WCK's Impact to Date
- 1 million+meals served
- 350local volunteers
supporting our work
- 70+Restaurant & Food Truck Partners
cooking nourishing meals
WCK's Trish Answers Questions About Our Efforts
WCK’s Trish, our Community Outreach Manager for the LA wildfire response, answered questions about our Southern California work on Reddit. People shared their questions and upvoted the ones that they found the most interesting.
Trish has played key roles on WCK responses to floods and earthquakes in Brazil, in Poland, and in Türkiye. As Community Outreach Manager, she leads many of our efforts to work with partners in Southern California, including restaurants and food trucks to bring meals to first responders, evacuating families, and residents in recovery.
At WCK, we know local chefs understand their communities best. Their expertise ensures meals reflect local flavors, meet cultural needs, and provide comfort. Many chefs we partner with, like Daniel Shemtob of our Chef Corps, are directly impacted by the crises we respond to.
Families Return to Fire-Ravaged Altadena
Families in Altadena are now returning home after the Eaton Fire devastated the area, destroying more than 9,000 structures and forcing over 30,000 people to evacuate. WCK has supported families since the Los Angeles fires began. Now, we are standing together as community members return to assess damage and begin recovery. People who are dealing with the impacts of wildfires on their homes and neighborhoods should not have to worry about finding a reliable source of food—we're here with a comforting meal.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her home state and joined our wildfire relief efforts, distributing food at two WCK sites in Altadena.
Neighbors Supporting Neighbors
People from across California have come together to support communities impacted by the wildfires. Hundreds of locals have joined WCK's efforts, cooking, serving meals, and helping kickstart recovery. These are some of their stories.
WCK Chef Corps member Tyler Florence quickly joined our teams on the frontlines of the wildfires to ensure first responders have access to nourishing food to sustain their efforts.
Gordo Hibachi
In Santa Monica, we are working with Gordo Hibachi to support first responders working tirelessly to control the blaze and support evacuation efforts. The team is cooking up delicious rice and noodle dishes.
Kogi BBQ
Chef Roy Choi's Kogi BBQ truck is serving in La Cañada, just north of Los Angeles, where evacuation orders are in place. The team set up at a school near a fire station to ensure responders can easily grab meals.
Dulanville Soul Food
Dulanville set up a distribution location at a fast food drive-thru in Altadena. Families are driving up to grab a meal and volunteers are helping distribute across the area.
WCK's Chef Corps in Action
Chef Corps partners jumped to action right away. For their part, chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger stationed their Socalo Border Grill Catering truck outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where they have provided thousands of comforting meals.
Help us reach California families in need.