While Midwesterners are trying to recover from the Derecho storm (open in new tab) that devastated the region this summer, Californians are battling hundreds of fires (open in new tab) across the state.

Humidity (open in new tab) helped prevent additional dry thunderstorms, but persistent low humidity, high temperatures, high winds, and silly gender exposure parties ignited more fires (open in new tab) and caused them to spread further. According to the California State Fire Marshal's Office (open in new tab), more than 2 million acres have burned since August 15. The majority of the fires have occurred at the L.N.U. Lightning Complex and the S.C.U. Lightning Complex, and are currently the second and third largest fires in California history. At least seven people have already died (open in new tab) and thousands of homes (open in new tab) have burned. Dozens have been injured and more than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate. Large parts of California are currently under a "Red Flag Warning" (open in new tab), and countless people are calling for help as the skies over the Bay Area (open in new tab) take on an ominous orange hue.

While you are looking for a reputable organization to donate to, the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit encouraged well-meaning donors to beware of scams like GoFundMe, which pretends to be associated with California firefighters (opens in new tab). (To determine if a fundraiser is legitimate, see the tips below (opens in new tab).) Here are some honest organizations to consider donating to support the relief effort (opens in new tab):