Watching the California wildfires claim lives, destroy homes, level entire neighborhoods, and swipe the very idea of safety and stability from thousands of people elicits a whole constellation of emotions. Catastrophic events like these etch their way into our collective psyche and can leave indelible psychological marks on those directly impacted. 

If you know someone impacted by these fires, reach out and show your support by simply letting them know you're there for them, asking what they need, and holding space for them. Try to avoid imposing your feelings of helplessness or using empty (and often unintentionally insulting) platitudes. The American Psychological Association has provided some good starting points to help those directly impacted by disasters. Take a look and see if it might be worth sharing - when the proverbial or literal smoke clears.