Taylor Swift issues plea for donations after ‘heartbreaking’ wildfires

Superstar Taylor Swift has called on her fans to help raise funds for those affected by the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles, California.

Posting to her 282 million followers on Instagram, Swift said “it’s been heartbreaking” to watch how so many families have been “devastated” by the various blazes ripping through Los Angeles for more than a week.

Twenty-five people have been killed in the wildfires, while more than 80,000 are still under evacuation orders.

“The fires in California have devastated so many families, and it’s been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold,” Swift said.

“So much suffering, loss, and destruction. As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organisations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild.”

Swift told her fans to “please” donate if they were in a position to do so before listing the organisations she has contributed to.

They include:

• 211 LA
• California Community Foundation Fund
• Direct Relief
• Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
• Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
• MusiCares
• Pasadena Educational Foundation Eaton Fire Response Fund

It comes as evacuees in Los Angeles were told to wait at least another week before returning home as emergency responders removed toxic waste from incinerated neighbourhoods and cut off electricity and gas lines posing a hazard.

The Palisades Fire on the west side of Los Angeles has consumed 23,713 acres (96 sq km) and was 22% contained as of Thursday, meaning firefighters have control of that percentage of the perimeter.

The Eaton Fire, which has burned 14,117 acres (57 sq km) in the foothills east of town, was 55% contained.

Together the two fires have charred 59 sq miles (152 sq km) – an area larger than Paris or nearly three times the size of
Manhattan.

A series of smaller wildfires in Southern California have been brought completely or mostly under control.

Read more:
Police investigating ‘possible human cause’ behind Los Angeles wildfire
LA wildfires: Who’s been blamed for response shortcomings?

At least 12,000 structures – many of them homes – have been levelled or damaged, leaving 82,400 people still under evacuation orders and another 90,400 under evacuation warnings.

Last week, benefit concert FireAid was announced to raise funds for relief efforts following the wildfires, with Lady Gaga and the Red Hot Chili Peppers among the celebrities said to be taking the stage.

Billie Eilish is also expected to sing at the event on 30 January, which will take place at two locations – the Intuit Dome and the adjacent Kia Forum in Inglewood.