PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As wildfires continue to devastate communities across Southern California, local nonprofit groups are mobilizing to provide relief to those affected. Sherie Staveley Singer, who grew up in Rhode Island but has lived in Pasadena for two decades, described the scene near her home as unimaginable. "It's like the apocalypse, a war zone. I don't even know how to describe it," she told 12 News. What to know about the devastation from the Los Angeles-area fires Courtesy: Sherrie Singer Courtesy: Sherrie Singer On Tuesday, Singer was eating dinner after work when she saw flames through her back window consuming the mountains near her home. Within hours, she and her family were packing to evacuate. While her neighborhood was spared, many of her friends and coworkers weren’t as fortunate. "The buildings are gone, but the community is very much alive and strong, and this place will get rebuilt," Singer said. "It's really a fascinating thing to see how well people come together in such alarming and desperate times." Courtesy: Sherrie Singer Liz Furze, a Dighton native living on the Los Angeles-Pasadena border, shared a similar experience. "The biggest concern at first was the wind. We were getting almost like 100 mile an hour wind gusts and we had a big half of a tree come down in our yard," Furze explained. California’s Santa Ana winds: What they are and why they fuel wildfires Courtesy: Liz Furze Courtesy: Liz Furze Her concerns heightened when she could see the fire from her street and ash raining from the sky. While her area was not ordered to evacuate, she, her husband and their dog decided to leave as a precaution. "It was hard to mentally prepare for it," Furze said. "I couldn't even wrap my head around my house not being here when I came back." Courtesy: Liz Furze She said they packed three days' worth of clothes, along with two Christmas ornaments and an irreplaceable photograph, not knowing how long they would be gone. Thankfully, they returned to find their home intact, though surrounded by debris and ash. "In times like these there is a lot of fear, but there's also a lot of community, and everyone has really come together to support each other, which is the bright side of tragedy," Furze added. Local relief efforts The American Red Cross has deployed four volunteers from its Connecticut and Rhode Island region to assist with the wildfire response. "We're so grateful that we have local Red Crossers who are willing to raise their hand, pack up their lives for two weeks, and help provide that hope and comfort to people who have been affected by such tragedy," Jocelyn Hillard, the region’s communications director, said. In addition to operating shelters, volunteers are assisting virtually with family reunification efforts. "They are helping to reconnect family members, which is such a critical need at this time as we continue to see those wildfires grow and a lot of unknown, in these coming days," Hillard added. 12 News: Donate to help California wildfire victims now, in partnership with the Red Cross The Salvation Army is also on the ground at five evacuation shelters in California, providing hydration, hot meals, first aid, and emotional care. While no Southern New England volunteers are on-site, monetary donations from the region are being directed to California to aid relief efforts. "One of the great things about the Salvation Army emergency disaster services is we come along, people, after the fires go away, after people start to get back on their feet, the Salvation Army comes alongside them with long-term recovery," Michael Baldelli, Regional Public Relations and Marketing Manager, said. Those interested in helping through the Salvation Army can donate online or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. The American Red Cross is also seeking disaster responders locally and nationally, with more information available online. AHEAD: Massachusetts fire officials closely tracking California wildfires Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW