How News Networks Are Aiding Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Efforts

The wildfires that have raged in the Los Angeles area since Jan. 7 have resulted in large-scale amounts of property destruction and people displacement. With the death toll still climbing and over 12,000 structures damaged, it is expected to be one of the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, with an estimated price tag of between $250-$275 billion.

Local and national news outlets have been on top of the disaster since its onset, devoting resources and airtime to updating audiences on the calamity. Amidst all the reporting, they have also sought to be good community stewards by promoting call-to-action initiatives that encourage donations to assist all those affected by the tragedy.  

Here’s how networks have sought to aid relief efforts to assist all those affected by the wildfires.

ABC News

ABC News Group is expanding its SoCal Strong across its platforms on Jan 17. The network-wide relief effort, which has raised nearly $6.5 million so far, will be focused on driving recovery, rebuilding, and resilience, highlighting ways that viewers can support local organizations aiding fire-impacted L.A. residents.

Good Morning America aired its Friday edition from L.A. with co-anchors Michael Strahan and Robin Roberts as well as chief meteorologist Ginger Zee spotlighting the resilience of families who lost their homes to the wildfires and the first responders and volunteers who have played essential roles in the recovery. That reporting continued throughout the day, along with information about how viewers can help.

ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations Announce Expanded ‘Socal Strong’ Coverage in Support of Los Angeles-Area Communities Amid the Devastating Wildfires https://t.co/tdxBJxJZQZ pic.twitter.com/DZlUWsYnGg

— ABC News PR (@ABCNewsPR) January 16, 2025

CBS News

Paramount Global, CBS News and Stations’ parent company, is donating $1 million across organizations supporting firefighting and relief efforts. CBS, which launched a Red Cross PSA, has also started driving donations to the Red Cross.

On the local front, the owned and operated affiliate station CBS Los Angeles (KCAL/KCBS) has already raised $850k for relief efforts. 

Help people affected by California Wildfires. Go to: https://t.co/tTHsyy7JDE pic.twitter.com/Kp3N9cWeWd

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 13, 2025

CNN

CNN’s viewing audience has donated almost $600,000 through the network’s Impact Your World platform. Those funds will be provided to on the ground aid organizations in L.A.

Besides donations, Warner Bros. Discovery—CNN’s parent company—is committing $15 million to immediate response and rebuilding efforts. WBD is also assisting over one thousand of its impacted employees with funds for temporary housing and meals, as well as establishing an emergency relief center at its Burbank studio.

“Our studio has called Burbank home for more than 100 years,” said a WBD spokesperson. “We are focused on what needs to be done to help those impacted rebound from this disaster and rebuild in the weeks, months, and years ahead.”

Here are the ways to support the charities and NGOs that are responding to the #wildfires ravaging the Greater Los Angeles Area. #makeanimpact! https://t.co/z8BtBNCCbp

— Impact Your World (@CNNImpact) January 9, 2025

Fox News

Fox News Media’s parent company, Fox Corp., partnered with the Red Cross for a donation campaign across all of its networks and platforms. The campaign has raised nearly $4 million on top of the company’s initial $1 million donation.

MSNBC

The network continues to keep viewers informed of relief efforts through continuous reporting across the network, an MSNBC.com article listing relief organizations, and an on-air QR code pointing to relief efforts.

Recent on-air segments include interviews with World Central Kitchen, actor Sean Penn on Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), actor William McNamara on Eastwood Ranch Foundation rescuing animals, and more.

NBC News

The network’s parent company, Comcast NBCUniversal, donated $10 million in support of recovery and relief efforts. $2.5 million will specifically be used with rebuilding efforts via its partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative.

Contributions will also be made to such organizations as the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

NBC News is keeping its viewers abreast of ways to support relief efforts. On Monday, senior consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen appeared on Today to break down the various ways individuals can help.

NewsNation

NewsNation’s parent company, Nexstar, raised $650,000 from viewers to support the American Red Cross. Those eager to help can find a call to action on the Nexstar homepage, while its TV station websites display links to Red Cross microsites. 

Scripps News

The Scripps Howard Fund—a public charity established by The E.W. Scripps Company—is partnering with Scripps’ local stations, as well as Court TV, to raise more than $75,000. Those funds will be provided to local nonprofits, including the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Those interested in donating can text “Scripps” to 50155 or scan the QR code below.

Spectrum News

Spectrum has provided $2.5 million to assist in wildfire relief efforts, including $500,000 in total cash contributions that will be split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, and the California Fire Foundation. 

The media organization is also donating $1 million in support of small businesses in the L.A. area through the Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund and another $1 million in in-kind public service announcement airtime for nonprofit-led relief efforts. Internally, Spectrum has established a microsite allowing employees to donate to the Red Cross.

Meanwhile, the L.A. viewing area now has unrestricted access to Spectrum News 1 SoCal as authentication requirements have been lifted. That gives all viewers access to Spectrum News coverage and the Spectrum News app.

To help those impacted by the wildfires, Spectrum has committed $2.5 million to relief efforts in Southern California, which includes $500,000 in cash contributions, $1 million to be invested in area small businesses and $1 million in PSAs to support relief organizations.… pic.twitter.com/N93mh11hwa

— Charter News (@CharterNewsroom) January 14, 2025

Univision

TelevisaUnivision’s Univision Foundation has been running fundraising messaging across all networks, local stations, digital, and social media platforms via QR code and text number. The funds raised will support mental health services for underserved communities in L.A. among other recovery efforts.

Money raised via the fun will also be put towards Univision Foundation’s Training of Trainers to empower local leaders and organizations. And Local affiliate Univision 34 is also working with the non-profit health center to aid its Spanish-speaking community.