Li Liang

When my wife and I moved to the Bay Area ten years ago from the East Coast, wildfires weren't part of our vocabulary. We knew about nor'easters, humidity, and the occasional hurricane warning — but fire season? That was something we saw on the news, not something we lived. A lot has changed since then. We got married in Sonoma. We had two daughters. And somewhere along the way, the Bay Area became home — not just a place we moved to, but the place where our kids are growing up. That's what makes wildfire season feel different now. It's not abstract anymore. When our oldest was just three months old, we woke up one morning to an orange sky. Not sunset orange — wrong orange. The kind that makes you stand at the window holding your baby and wonder what you've brought her into. I will never forget that moment, or that feeling. Now it's the air quality alert that cancels outdoor recess. The haze that makes our girls ask why the sky looks wrong. The knot in your stomach when a red flag warning lights up and the hills behind your neighborhood are part of the map. As parents, we want to give our daughters a safe, healthy environment to grow up in — the kind of childhood where they can play outside without worry, where the air is clean, and where we're not refreshing five different apps trying to figure out if we need to leave. That last part — the information gap — is what led me to Watch Duty. Watch Duty is a nonprofit platform that provides real-time, verified wildfire updates: evacuation orders, fire perimeters, air quality data, and incident details. It's monitored by trained volunteers who focus specifically on wildfire intelligence, cutting through the noise of social media rumor and institutional delay to deliver information you can actually act on. In a region like ours — where neighborhoods sit right up against wildland — that kind of timely, reliable information matters: Getting your family out before evacuation routes are gridlocked Checking whether your kids' school or a loved one's home is in a fire zone Making real decisions about air quality — not guessing Staying calm because you're informed, not because you're ignoring the risk With your support, Watch Duty can continue to grow its coverage and help firefighters and communities respond more quickly and effectively. This isn't about fear. It's about being ready — so our kids can just be kids. If you're able to contribute, I'd be grateful for your support. And if sharing this page is what feels right, that's meaningful too.

It’s my birthday, and this year, I’m asking for something a little different. Instead of gifts, I invite you to contribute to the PCRF, a remarkable organization that provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to children in the Middle East, regardless of religion or politics. Your support means the world to me and to countless children in need. Here are a couple of ways your donation can make a real difference: Fund surgeries and medical treatments for children who can’t access care. Provide humanitarian aid, including food and essential supplies, to families in crisis. By contributing, you’re not just celebrating my birthday; you’re helping to transform lives. Thank you for joining me in this meaningful celebration!

Hi friends! This year, for my birthday, I’ve decided to do something a little different. Instead of gifts, I’m asking for donations to support the PCRF, an incredible organization that provides free medical care and humanitarian aid to children in the Middle East, regardless of their religion or politics. These donations will make a real impact in the lives of many children. Here’s how your support can help: Fund essential medical treatments and surgeries for children in need. Provide humanitarian aid, including food and supplies for families affected by conflict. Choosing PCRF for my birthday fundraiser means so much to me because I believe every child deserves a chance at a healthy life. Let’s come together to make a difference! Thank you for your generosity and support!