In a showing of sympathy toward those fighting the devastating Californian wildfires, Ripple Labs and MoonPay have partnered to donate $50,000 in the form of the newly issued RLUSD, a Ripple stablecoin, to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (LAFD Foundation), working non-stop in the city to fight raging fires.
The wildfires that started on January 7th have already burned through many parts of Los Angeles, such as Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and Calabasas. As temperatures soar with intense winds and an ongoing drought, the conditions are getting worse, and over 150,000 people have had to leave their homes. Sadly, at least 10 lives have been lost so far.
The Los Angeles Fire Department is currently fighting at least three major fires, and the containment efforts are slow to take hold, around 8% for the Palisades Fire and 3% for the Eaton Fire. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and the department has been stretched thin as firefighters continue to fight these fierce blazes.
Ripple and MoonPay’s donation of RLUSD is a generous gesture in which cryptocurrency steps forward to provide immediate relief during emergent situations. Further, Ripple has come forward and stated that there are many more ways they can support firefighting efforts now. MoonPay has added that digital assets are important in helping people in times of need.
The LAFD was also grateful for the donation on social media, saying thanks to Ripple for “giving back to our LAFD heroes” in such a critical moment. This contribution further cements the role of cryptocurrencies as a powerful tool to help communities when disaster strikes.
It’s a tough time for the LAFD, which felt the pressure following recent budget cuts which left it understaffed and behind in addressing the urgency of this disaster. Still, despite all this, firefighters are continuing their heroic efforts to bring the fires under control, with great hope of making some real progress in days to come.
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