Apple will donate funds to support victims and bolster recovery efforts in response to the devastating wildfires Los Angeles faces, Apple CEO Tim Cook said. He posted it in a thank-you message to first responders on X.com late Wednesday.
If you would like to join Apple and donate to organizations responding to the fires, follow the link at the bottom of this article.
Tim Cook: Apple will donate to LA wildfire recovery
As many as six major wildfires stoked by unusually strong Santa Ana winds currently burn in Los Angeles County as of Thursday. So far they’ve caused five deaths, burned at least 1,000 homes and businesses, and forced evacuations of more than 130,000 people, according to various news reports from Reuters and elsewhere. Apple’s pledge of financial support follows its many other responses to natural disasters in recent years, including previous California wildfires, Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and harsh winter storms in Texas and elsewhere.
On Tuesday, Cook responded to the unfolding LA disaster with a post on X.com. He urged Apple teams in the area of the massive Palisades fire to take precautions:
To our teams in Los Angeles and all those affected by the devastating Palisades fire, we’re thinking of you. Please take precautions and stay safe.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 8, 2025
“To our teams in Los Angeles and all those affected by the devastating Palisades fire, we’re thinking of you,” he wrote. “Please take precautions and stay safe.”
Cook followed that post up with another one Wednesday night. It looked at the LA’s situation more broadly:
“The devastation caused by the fires in Los Angeles is heartbreaking,” he wrote. “Thank you to the incredible firefighters, first responders, and all those assisting for your heroic efforts. Apple will be donating to support the victims and recovery efforts on the ground.”
The devastation caused by the fires in Los Angeles is heartbreaking. Thank you to the incredible firefighters, first responders, and all those assisting for your heroic efforts. Apple will be donating to support the victims and recovery efforts on the ground. https://t.co/9ry0olSQFh
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 9, 2025
Apple has donated to recovery efforts after many natural disasters. But the iPhone giant has rarely if ever revealed the amounts of money if gives. However, the scales of Apple’s resources and financial need after these major disasters would suggest its donations are large.
How to help
Numerous publications like the Los Angeles Times are responding to the LA wildfires with lists of emergency-response organizations. People can financially support them through donations to help those affected. The organizations, listed with information about what they do and how to donate, include American Red Cross, California Wildfire Foundation, Direct Relief and others.
