Bay Area nonprofit sends aid to California amid deadly wildfires
TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa nonprofit has deployed a team of volunteers to Los Angeles County to aid in the response to deadly wildfires.
Grey Bull Rescue consists of veterans and retired first responders with an array of specialties. Last week, the organization deployed more than 12 members across California.
The group's focus is providing aid however they can in the area impacted by the largest fire, known as the Palisades Fire, which has displaced more than 100,000 people.
California fires latest: 24 dead, 16 missing; strong winds returning
"Grey Bull has been here for four days now. I started working with local, state, and regional partners and started trying to help out where we could," Grey Bull Rescue founder Bryan Stern said.
Those agencies include the City of Los Angeles and LA County Fire Departments.
"The humanitarian aid piece. A lot of people did not evacuate out of fear of looters and that kind of thing. Those people are now cut off," he said. "Figuring out what they need and getting humanitarian aid up to them."

Image courtesy of Grey Bull Rescue.
Stern said some agencies have lost communications, so the nonprofit has provided Starlink internet.
The group is also offering wellness checks and a shoulder to cry on.
"You see them with tears in their eyes. All the insurance in the world isn't going to bring back a family heirloom," Stern said.

Image courtesy of Grey Bull Rescue.
The nonprofit remains steadfast with Santa Ana winds expected to pick up in the coming days.
"The real concern is it's still very much a fire zone, so winds plus fire equals more fire," Stern said.
Stern said Sunday felt reminiscent of what the Tampa Bay area experienced last Fall.
READ: Feds take lead in determining cause of California fires
"We had Helene and then Milton right on top of it. We had just gotten done with Helene a little bit and licking our wounds, then Milton came in right on top of it," he said.
Stern's team is also on standby to lend a hand with evacuations.
"We don't know where the wind is going to blow and to what extent and what impact it will have on the fire," he said. "We're here to help and there's a lot of people here who need help."

Image courtesy of Grey Bull Rescue.
Grey Bull Rescue doesn't want to take away supplies and equipment from first responders, so right now respirators, thermal goggles, and fire equipment are needed.
The organization has created a 'Request Help' tab on its website. For more information, click here.
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