Devastating wildfires have burned more than 217,000 acres in California, causing more than 75,000 evacuations, at least 40 deaths and over 200 people still reported missing. In response, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Solano County; Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties; and Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Nevada and Orange counties.

So far, the California Medical Association (CMA) has identified dozens of physician members who have lost their homes or medical practices, and CMA remains in close contact with county medical societies in the impacted counties

Physicians who need – or can provide – shelter, assistance and resources, should contact:

• SONOMA: Wendy Young, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Medical Society (SCMS), at (707) 236-2589. The SCMS office is closed due to the fire threat, with all staff working remotely.
• NAPA and SOLANO: Dianne Thompson, Director of the Napa and Solano County Medical Societies at (707) 255-3622. Please help identify impacted physicians/medical practices by sending their name and contact information to exec@ncms.com.

The Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation (SCMAAF) informed CMA that half of its board members have lost their homes, and they have created a fire relief fund: SCMAA.org/Relief.

The California Medical Association Foundation has also launched a donation portal at phcdocs.org and will work directly with county medical societies to ensure the funds reach those with the most urgent needs.

Additional Resources/Reading

• Airbnb is providing free housing through October 30, 2017, for displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help: Airbnb Welcomes Wildfire Evacuees
• NORCAL Mutual has prepared wildfire response resources for health care professionals: https://www.norcal-group.com/ca-wildfires. They stand “ready to guide affected policyholders through any patient safety issues, protected health information security and confidentiality matters.” Call (855) 882-3412 for assistance.
• Sacramento Bee: Here’s how to help evacuees of Northern California fires
• Kaiser Permanente: Update: Fires in Northern California
• San Francisco Chronicle: Wine Country doctors save lives, lose homes
• San Francisco Chronicle: California wildfires victim Dr. Carmen McReynolds was a 'Western gal'
• NBC LA: Hospital Workers Evacuate Patients While Own Homes Ignite
• Press Democrat: Santa Rosa firestorm tests local health care services
• KQED: Doctors Warn Against the Toxins and Triggers Hidden in Wildfire Smoke