The summer season is supposed to be all about relaxing and spending time outdoors with friends and family. However, as climate change gets more severe, the season is becoming a nightmare for places prone to wildfires.

In California, this season has been particularly brutal as 1 of the worst wildfires in the state's history has ravaged forests and residential areas forcing thousands to evacuate. While the fire rages on, 1 celebrity chef has made it his personal mission to help those affected most the best way he knows how...

A Recipe For Disaster

In 2018, states across the country have experienced record-breaking temperatures and when scorching temperatures are paired with wind, dry vegetation, and an exploding population, it's literally a recipe for disaster.

The Carr Fire

California is currently the site of more than a dozen of those disasters, the largest of which is currently the Carr Fire. According to authorities, the fire started on July 23 after a mechanical failure of a vehicle created a spark in the area of Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in Whiskeytown, California...

Perfect Conditions

The fire took root immediately in the area thanks to tinderbox conditions and quickly spread in the gale-force conditions. So far, authorities say the fire has killed 6 people and has ravaged almost 200 square miles around the Northern California city.

The Damage So Far

The Carr Fire has destroyed more than 1,000 homes while more than 12,000 firefighters and even 3,000 prison inmates have been battling the flames. Despite their efforts, only 35 percent of the fire has been contained and the destruction is expected to continue…

Uncharted Territory

"Nature is very powerful and we are not on the side of nature. Every year is teaching the fire authorities new lessons. We are in uncharted territory," said Gov. Jerry Brown. So far, the Carr Fire, which hasn't even been put out yet, is already the 6th most destructive wildfire California has ever seen.

A New Normal

"We are in a new normal," Brown said about the fire, which is the earliest major fire in decades. "We are in for a really rough ride." And the Carr Fire is just 1 of dozens of wildfires in the state including a massive fire 300 miles south near Yosemite National Park...

Contributing Factors

While climate change plays a huge part in the increasingly devastating wildfire seasons, Brown explained the situation is also being made worse because of the population. According to Brown, California, which was home to about 20 million people 50 years ago, is not designed to accommodate the 40 million people that now call the state home.

Disastrous Effects

In addition, construction and the exhaust from 32 million cars are also contributing to the wildfire problem, which is spreading fire rescue services thin as well as causing mass destruction and forced 44,000 people to evacuate the areas so far...

The Population

While climate change plays a huge part in the increasingly devastating wildfire seasons, Brown explained the situation is also being made worse because of the population. According to Brown, California, which was home to about 20 million people 50 years ago, is not designed to accommodate the 40 million people that now call the state home.

Mass Destruction

In addition, construction and the exhaust from 32 million cars are also contributing to the wildfire problem, which is spreading fire rescue services thin as well as causing mass destruction and forced 44,000 people to evacuate the areas so far...

Losing Everything

The destruction has been particularly difficult for those who have been forced to leave their homes and the priceless possessions that were inside. Many find that when they return, there is nothing left. For 1 celebrity chef, that fact has been extremely unsettling.

First-Hand Experience

According to Guy Fieri, a celebrity chef and TV personality, the news of the Carr Fire has been incredibly upsetting. Not only did Fieri grow up in the area that is the site of the catastrophic fire, but he knows how terrifying it can be when a wildfire threatens your home…

The October Fires

Last October, Fieri and his family were forced to evacuate their home in Santa Rosa when a wildfire threatened the area. Fieri then went to the evacuation center with a wood fire oven and cooked 1,200 meals during 1 lunch service.

Feeding The People

"I'm not promoting anything. I'm just here cooking. This is feeding people. People need help, and I'm here to help. That's it," Fieri said. So when the chef saw what was happening to the area that he grew up in, he decided to do something similar…

A Personal Mission

"My son and I, and his buddies, and a bunch of mine, we loaded up our caravan from wine country and drove four hours up here," Fieri said after he drove from Napa Valley to Redding, California to help the Salvation Army feed thousands of evacuees and emergency workers.

A Team Effort

"I have probably got 20 volunteers, right now we are standing in a parking lot of Shasta College, and we have a makeshift kitchen set up with one of my trailers and a bunch of stoves," Fieri said after first arriving in Redding...

Gaining Support

"We just did lunch for 750, and we are getting ready to do dinner for that same group right now, trying to keep the menu interesting," Fieri said. However, when more help and food donations came in, Fieri was able to give out even more meals.

Feeding Thousands

From July 28, Fieri has been working tirelessly with volunteers and other chefs to prepare over 1,000 meals twice a day for evacuees and first responders through Operation BBQ Relief and chef José Andrés's nonprofit World Central Kitchen…

Staying Humble

"My team and I got involved… We are just working arm-in-arm with the Salvation Army, local chefs, residents, and everybody helping out all of the evacuees," said Fieri, who is extremely humble about his efforts to keep everyone fed.

What America's Made Of

"It is unbelievable to see what folks are going through, but also how great this community is," said Fieri. "It is great to see how all these folks have come together with the Salvation Army. We are in tough times in the world, with all the things going on, and boy, you take a moment like this, and you really see what America's made of, a lot of great people coming together."