Military veterans airlift supplies to wildfire survivors in Kaiser Canyon
Former service members are using private aircraft to deliver food, water, and other essentials to households displaced by the Kaiser Canyon fire.
A group of military veterans has launched a volunteer airlift operation to deliver essential supplies to residents affected by the Kaiser Canyon wildfire. Former service members are coordinating private aircraft to move food, drinking water, pet food, and other necessities directly to communities cut off by fire damage and road closures.
Grassroots coordination
Organizers say the effort began informally among veterans who live in or frequently fly over the region. Using a combination of small private planes and helicopters, the group has set up a relay-style delivery system, shuttling donations from staging areas to drop zones near neighborhoods where evacuation orders remain in effect. Volunteers are working with local officials to identify households in greatest need.
What is being delivered
Cargo loads are assembled at collection points before each flight and prioritized based on requests relayed from shelters and community contacts. Standard shipments include:
- Bottled water and nonperishable food
- Animal feed and basic veterinary supplies
- Personal hygiene items and first-aid kits
- Replacement batteries, flashlights, and charging cables
How to help or request assistance
The veterans' network is asking residents who still need supplies to reach out through local emergency management channels rather than approaching airfields directly. Monetary donations and unopened, nonperishable goods are being accepted at designated community centers. Organizers emphasize that flight operations remain weather-dependent and that ground-based volunteers continue to play a central role in last-mile delivery.