Catastrophic tragedy about sums up what is going on in wine country this week. The effects of the fire are felt far and wide and quite locally with all the smoke riding the winds into SF. The epic proportions of its vastness are immeasurable from the loss of life to homes and so much more. While there is certainly food news going on, many of us are focused on what is happening in wine country.

In true Bay Area fashion, folks seem to be coming together to help support the efforts and challenges of all the people who have been displaced by the fires that still continue to rage. With that in mind I wanted to give a light to the many things people are doing to help out. These also include ways you too can jump and volunteer, donate, do whatever to help those in need. We all know the value, fun and joy we get from venturing up to wine country for day trips or long weekends so why not lend a hand if we can. Below are some stories and links to resources, updating timelines, who is helping and where you can go to help. 

• For those that need to know, here is a continually updating list of restaurants, wineries and other industry businesses impacted by the fires. 
• Here are some North Bay resources for those affected. 
• Another updating list of places serving food, though with conditions constantly changing, a good thing to check before heading to help. 
• Seems Bay Area native Guy Fieri is also serving food to displaced folks. That's great, though bringing a bbq smoker seems a little not thought out?
• Some local agencies are a little overwhelmed with donations, how often does that happen? But there are still places to send things to help. 
• Wine Spectator looks at how the fires are going to impact the harvest and surviving wineries. 
• Here are 8 things you can do to help from Red Cross to Go Fund Me pages. 
• NBC Bay Area 11 also has a pretty complete list of places to donate and how to a home host for those that need it. 
• Here are some restaurants holding fundraisers. 
• The LA Times has an interesting article about how some of the wineries may actually be helping to slow the progress of some of the fires. 
• Here is an updating list of wineries either damaged or completely destroyed including popular spots like Chateau St. Jean and Stags' Leap. 
• Some more local restaurants help with support and food. 
• Food trucks are also heading up to wine country to serve up food to evacuees. 
• Firefighters from Arizona, Oregon, Washington to name a few. 
• Animal rescue groups are also getting together to help with hastily abandoned pets, horses, livestock, etc. 
• Tech companies are also getting in on the effort with offers of money and tools to help. 
• Air quality in the Bay Area will be poor to unhealthy. You can go here to check what is going on and see whether staying inside is necessary for those with issues. 
• For those attending La Cocina's Street Food Festival this weekend, they send out a missive letting people know money was going to a fire victims fund. Here is a brief snippet: We have asked Eventbrite to donate their ticketing fees from your ticket to a fund for fire victims, and we will be donating from door sales to the same purpose. We will have additional donation points for fire funds at the festival, including at the bar and at Three Twins where you can pre-buy ice cream and have 100% of those proceeds benefit our fund. We will continue to update you here on our efforts, and hope that you will join us in these works.

I'm actually headed to the La Cocina Festival to check things out with the SO and will have a wrap up of some offerings later. Till then, check out the links above to keep updated and see where you might be able to lend a hand. As of today, firefighters said they expect to have full containment on all the fires by Friday (the link will constantly update). Rain is also possibly expected sometime on Thursday. We are all hoping and helping.