Beyoncé‘s public charity foundation, BeyGOOD, is taking action in the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
The organization announced Sunday (Jan. 12) that it has donated $2.5 million to the BeyGOOD LA Fire Relief Fund.
“Los Angeles we stand with you,” BeyGOOD said in a statement shared on Instagram. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires.”
View this post on Instagram
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the wildfires were first reported Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 10:30 a.m. PST, in Southeast of Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades, in Los Angeles. At 6:18 p.m. PST, the Eaton Fire was reported near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the Altadena/Pasadena area. On the same night, at 10:29 p.m. PST, the Hurst Fire was reported near Diamond Road in Sylmar.
CBS News reports that following the outbreak of the wildfires, approximately 200,000 Los Angeles County residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes and “more than 166,000 others are under evacuation warnings.”
Per CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles wildfires have burned 40,588 acres so far, with over 12,300 structures destroyed. The Associated Press reports there have been 24 fatalities since the fires began. A cause of the wildfires is still under investigation.
Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD was formed in 2013 to “support people and programs worldwide, focused on various matters such as disaster relief, education, housing, personal and career development, mental health, and other global efforts.”
Since its formation, the organization has donated money to support those affected by the Flint Water Crisis, partnered with local Houston organizations to help displaced residents from Hurricane Harvey, distributed supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida, supported community-based organizations to donate $6 million to mental health wellness services for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and much more.
For more information about BeyGOOD, visit beygood.org. For real-time information about the Los Angeles fires, visit fire.ca.gov.
