Over three months, 10,000 California homes were lost. Wildfires are no longer a crisis in Los Angeles, but they are a growing threat in Rhode Island and beyond. With increasingly dry conditions, wildfires are not only spreading farther but also affecting air quality everywhere. Fires in the Carolinas as recently as March 2, 2025, show that this danger is putting more communities at risk. Many communities currently facing these risks are not aware.

Our team recognizes that we must act now by supporting wildfire relief and prevention efforts that make a real difference. We have been fundraising for Community Organized Relief Effort. CORE partners with local communities to ensure the aid they receive matches the community's needs, including providing immediate aid and investing in long-term solutions. We know this is not a challenge we can face alone. We must all come together.

Our campaign began as a community service project for SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization that connects students with industry to develop workforce skills. This competition initiated our efforts to give back, but we began to recognize that there is so much more we can do. As environmental engineering students, we recognize the risks we take when we don’t take proactive action towards urgent societal needs. 

Learning about the homes lost and lives devastated in LA, and the broader causes of wildfires, we were led to a clear realization: In a community, when one member suffers, everyone is affected.

What started as concern has become much more personal, making the need for action urgent. Our campaign is now driven by the hope that we can educate and inspire Rhode Island to take precautions, raise awareness and support efforts to safeguard our environment and homes. Everyone must come together to contribute to stronger, lasting action.

Wildfires threaten more than just forests. They endanger homes, air quality and entire communities. Our mission has driven us to create a petition to Rhode Island’s legislature. To spark action and amplify our message, we urge Rhode Island to lead by example. Together we can show how communities can unite to prevent greater devastation and protect the places we call home before it’s too late.

Wildfires affect us all. The time to prepare and protect is now. Please sign our petition. www.daviestech.org/wildfires

11th Grade Pre-Engineering Technology Students
Davies Career and Technical High School
Lincoln

SkillsUSA: CVC Wildfire Guard
Audrey Rolfe, Lincoln
Lissalin Guzman, Pawtucket
Zyere Blake, Pawtucket