ALAN mobilizes logistics response to California wildfires

Wildfires have burned more than 230,000 acres of California in the past week, killing dozens of residents and displacing hundreds of thousands more. In response, the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) has activated its network of supply chain professionals, soliciting donations of transportation, storage space, logistics services, and equipment.

The nonprofit group has already completed its first relief action, coordinating the delivery of a truckload of cleaning supplies from Omaha, Neb., to Butte County, Calif. Now ALAN is listing additional calls to action on its website, offering the latest details about the California fires and their related logistics needs.

"The need for our supply chain assistance to the people who are being impacted in California hasn't been extensive yet," ALAN Executive Director Kathy Fulton said in a release. "However the operative word is yet, which is why we hope members of the logistics community will stay in touch with us often in the days or weeks ahead—or consider making a pre-offer of any space, services and equipment they'd be willing to donate to relief efforts. Like many disasters this one will continue to be an ongoing story for us for many weeks or months to come, so every donation or offer of assistance truly helps."

The disaster began unfolding Nov. 8 when the "Camp Fire" sparked near the town of Paradise, Calif., in the northern part of the state. At the same time, the "Woolsey Fire" is flaring near Malibu, Calif., just north of Los Angeles in the south. Together, the blazes have killed at least 50 people and rescue crews expect to confirm additional deaths as they arrive on site, according to published reports.

A #RedFlagWarning has significantly increased in size, now spanning across California through Monday, due to gusty winds and low humidity. This is #CriticalFireWeather and precautions should be taken when outdoors to avoid any potential sparks. https://t.co/jRrR4hFuqh pic.twitter.com/RzwVF7Fagw

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) November 12, 2018