Wildfires that have raged in the Los Angeles area since January 7 have led to large-scale property destruction and population displacement. With a still-rising toll and more than 12,000 structures damaged, it will likely be one of the costliest natural disasters in the nation’s history, with an estimated cost of $250 billion to $275 billion.
Local and national news outlets we have been in control of the disaster since its beginningdedicating resources and airtime to informing the public about the calamity. Amid all of this reporting, they have also sought to be good stewards of the community by promoting call-to-action initiatives that encourage donations to help everyone affected by the tragedy.
Here’s how the networks sought to contribute to relief efforts to help everyone affected by the wildfires.
ABC News
ABC News Group is expanding its SoCal Strong across all of its platforms on January 17. The network-wide relief effort, which has raised nearly $6.5 million so farwill focus on recovery, rebuilding and resilience, highlighting ways viewers can support local organizations helping Los Angeles residents affected by the fires.
Good Morning America broadcast its Friday edition from Los Angeles with co-anchors Michael Strahan And Robin Roberts as well as chief meteorologist Ginger Zee highlighting the resilience of families who lost their homes to wildfires and the first responders and volunteers who played a vital role in the recovery. These reports continued throughout the day, along with information on how viewers can help.
ABC News and ABC-Owned Television Stations Announce Expanded ‘Strong Social’ Coverage to Support Los Angeles Area Communities Amid Devastating Wildfires https://t.co/tdxBJxJZQZ pic.twitter.com/DZlUWsYnGg
– ABC News Public Relations (@ABCNewsPR) January 16, 2025
CNN
CNN audience donated nearly $600,000 through the network Impact your world platform. These funds will be provided to humanitarian organizations on the ground in Los Angeles.
In addition to donations, Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, is committing $15 million to immediate response and reconstruction efforts. WBD is also assisting more than a thousand of its affected employees by providing funds for temporary housing and meals, as well as establishing an emergency relief center at its Burbank studio.
“Our studio has called Burbank home for over 100 years,” a WBD spokesperson said. “We are focused on what needs to be done to help those affected recover from this disaster and rebuild in the weeks, months and years to come. »
Here are ways to support charities and NGOs responding to the crisis. #forest fires ravaging the Greater Los Angeles area. #makeanimpact! https://t.co/z8BtBNCCbp
– Impact your world (@CNNImpact) January 9, 2025
Fox News
Fox News Media’s parent company, Fox Corp., has partnered with the Red Cross for a donation campaign across all of its networks and platforms. The campaign raised nearly $4 million on top of the company’s initial $1 million donation.
MSNBC
The network continues to keep viewers informed of relief efforts through ongoing network-wide reporting, a MSNBC.com article listing relief organizations and an on-air QR code pointing to relief efforts.
Recent on-air segments include interviews with Central cuisine of the worldactor Sean Penn on Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)actor William McNamara on Eastwood Ranch Foundation saving animals, and more.
NBC News
The network’s parent company, Comcast NBCUniversal, donated $10 million to support recovery and relief efforts. $2.5 million will be used specifically for rebuilding efforts through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative.
Contributions will also be made to organizations including the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s SoCal Fire Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
NBC News keeps its viewers informed ways to support relief efforts. Monday, Senior Consumer Survey Correspondent Vicky Nguyen appeared on Today to detail the different ways individuals can help.
NewsNation
NewsNation’s parent company, Nexstar, raised $650,000 from viewers to support the American Red Cross. Those who wish to help can find a call to action on Nexstar’s home page, while its television channels’ websites display links to Red Cross microsites.
Script News
The Scripps Howard Fund— a public charity created by The EW Scripps Company — is partnering with local Scripps stations, as well as Court TV, to raise more than $75,000. These funds will go to local nonprofit organizations, including the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Those interested in donating can text “Scripps” to 50155 or scan the QR code below.
SOCAL wildfire relief effort from Scripps NewsCourtesy of Scripps News
Spectrum News
Spectrum has provided $2.5 million to help with wildfire relief efforts, including $500,000 in total cash contributions that will be split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, area American Red Cross of Los Angeles and the California Fire Foundation.
The media organization is also donating $1 million to support Los Angeles area small businesses through the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund and another $1 million in airtime for messaging. in-kind public interest for relief efforts led by nonprofit organizations. Internally, Spectrum created a microsite for employees to donate to the Red Cross.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles viewing area now has unlimited access to Spectrum News 1 SoCal as authentication requirements have been lifted. This provides all viewers with access to Spectrum News coverage and the Spectrum News app.
To help those affected by the wildfires, Spectrum has committed $2.5 million to relief efforts in Southern California, including $500,000 in cash contributions, $1 million to invest in small businesses in the region and $1 million in public service announcements to support relief organizations.… pic.twitter.com/N93mh11hwa
– Charter News (@CharterNewsroom) January 14, 2025
Univision
TelevisaUnivision’s Univision Foundation broadcast fundraising messages on all networks, local stations, digital and social media platforms via QR code and text number. Funds raised will support mental health services for underserved communities in Los Angeles, among other recovery efforts.
Money raised from the fun will also go towards training Univision Foundation trainers to empower local leaders and organizations. And local affiliate Univision 34 also works with the nonprofit health center to help its Spanish-speaking community.
