One year ago this month, the landscape of California was changed by the 2025 California wildfires that swept through the region. At Heart to Heart International, we know that the health crisis of a wildfire doesn’t end when the smoke clears. Recovery is a long-term commitment.
Today, we are looking back at a year of resilience and the incredible impact your support has made in moving a community from crisis to clinical stability.
Immediate Supplies and Relief to the 2025 California Wildfires
In the chaotic weeks following the January 2025 fires, HHI moved quickly to support those communities impacted by the fast-moving fires. During this time, constant California wildfire updates were critical for coordinating our logistics and ensuring aid reached the most impacted and under-resourced areas. Thanks to our donors, we were able to deliver:
- Essential Supplies: Thousands of hygiene kits and N95 masks to eight local health partners working in the impacted communities as well as critical oral rehydration supplies to support families and workers affected by these rapid fires in California.
Because we were receiving consistent California wildfire updates from our partners, we knew that while these supplies met the immediate needs, another challenge would be the months of recovery to follow. This knowledge allowed us to transition from emergency relief to long-term health support.
Ongoing Diagnostics
To ensure long-term health equity, we partnered with Medical Missions Adventures mobile community clinic to install point-of-care laboratory technology. This allows clinicians to run diagnostic tests—like HbA1c for diabetes—and get results in minutes rather than days. This is especially vital in the aftermath of disasters like the southern California wildfires, where displaced families often lose access to their regular doctors.
Our partners at Medical Missions Adventures recently shared some stories that prove just how life-changing this accessibility can be:
A “Complete 180” for Diabetes Management
A woman whose diabetes was once uncontrolled and “would have gone unnoticed” without this lab. Because she could see her results instantly, she felt empowered to change her lifestyle and advocate for her own care. She told the team that if not for this testing, her health might still be in danger today.
Catching What Was Missed
A couple, who were told they were prediabetic two years ago, hadn’t had a follow-up since. They were curious but hadn’t been able to make a formal appointment. In minutes, the test showed that their levels had increased. This immediate result allowed the clinic staff to have a discussion about diet and lifestyle and refer them to a free clinic for long-term monitoring. Without this accessible testing, they may never have known they needed to take their health seriously following the stress of the fires in California.
Healing Beyond the Clinical
At the same health fair, a man was encouraged by his daughter to get tested. The lab showed a high HbA1c level, indicating he was likely diabetic. The test also opened a door for the staff to “hold space” for the patient as he shared the recent loss of his son. The team could then support him from a human standpoint, helping him choose a new, healthier direction for his life during a time of immense grief.
The Power of Partnership
As our partners at the clinic told us: “These patient encounters would not have been possible if not for the accessibility of testing… This wouldn’t have been possible without Heart to Heart International.”
One year after the 2025 California wildfires, we are looking at a community that not only survived, but that is now better equipped to care for its own. Whether it is a disaster like the large southern California wildfires, flooding in Texas, or a hurricane in North Carolina, our mission remains the same: ensuring no one is left behind in the recovery process. Thank you to all our donors and supporters who made this happen.
