As massive wildfires rage along the south-west coast of the United States, the American Red Cross is providing safe shelter to thousands of families who have been urged to evacuate their neighbourhoods. Throughout Southern California, from San Diego to north of Los Angeles, fires have consumed land totalling more than 162,000 hectares or 1,620 square kilometres. As of 24 October, more than 1,300 homes have been lost.

During the early stages of its response, the American Red Cross will focus its efforts on opening emergency shelters, providing meals to evacuees, and supporting the emotional needs of those who have been forced to flee from their homes.

As the days progress, Red Cross volunteers will begin meeting with those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed and will help them with resources to meet their emergency needs.

"Our volunteers are working hard to keep our fire evacuees safe," said Chris Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at the American Red Cross of Ventura County. "In addition to evacuations, people are now losing their homes throughout Southern California. This means that our important work is just beginning."

Thousands of well-trained Red Cross volunteers from chapters throughout the area have been working around the clock since the onset of the fires on Sunday. Thousands more are arriving from around the United States, bringing with them years of disaster response experience.

Bilingual volunteers have been sent by the Mexican Red Cross to support American Red Cross efforts to serve the area's many Spanish speaking residents.

In San Diego County alone, where the largest fire is raging, the American Red Cross has opened eight shelters, providing safe housing for more than 3,000 residents on Monday evening.

Most shelters are located in public school buildings or community centres. At these shelters, evacuees find hot food, disaster mental health volunteers, nurses, and other families who share their fears about what will happen next. Additional shelters are open in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and other surrounding communities.

"Information is one of the most important resources we can provide to our shelter residents and their worried families," Johnson continued. "We've been working closely with emergency personnel throughout the area to share as much knowledge as we can about this rapidly changing situation. We are also helping residents to connect with those who are trying to find them."

Evacuated residents throughout Southern California are being urged to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well web site. This web site helps friends and family members of displaced residents to search for registered individuals to learn of their whereabouts and safety. This special site can be accessed through www.redcross.org.

The web site was first utilized in the days following Hurricane Katrina and has continued to successfully link those impacted by disasters with their loved ones.