The fires consuming parts of Southern California have moved rapidly since breaking out a few days ago. The Thomas Fire, a blaze in Ventura County, has already claimed 90,000 acres. The fires have collectively led to the evacuation of more than 200,000 residents, according to news reports.

There are numerous efforts underway to aid survivors, who may have fled wearing only the clothes on their backs and may not know the fate of their homes for days.

If you'd like to contribute to the rescue and recovery efforts, consider the following initiatives:

  1. Donate via Google to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy
  2. Support the United Way of Ventura County Thomas Fire Fund
  3. Support the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
  4. Support the Humane Society of Ventura County
  5. Use Facebook's Crisis Response tool to donate or give and find help.

Read the full article on Southern Califonia wildfires by Rebecca Ruiz at Mashable