Updates

Resource Corner

Windstorm & Wildfire Resources


 

Important Links

LA County Incident Response Page: https://lacounty.gov/emergency 

LA City Wildfire Information and Resources Page: https://lacity.gov 

California 2025 Los Angeles Fires Information and Resources Page: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires 

FEMA Disaster Assistance: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856 

 

LA County Incident Response & Latest Updates (as of January 16, 2025)

 

 

  • Hotel Vouchers Available: Hilton, American Express and 211 LA have announced a plan to provide vouchers to people impacted by the fires to stay, free of charge, at Hilton properties.
    • To be considered for the program, residents need to first apply to 211 LA for housing assistance using this application: bit.ly/211-Emergency-Services-Request 

    • In addition to housing assistance, 211 LA provides fire survivors a wide range of resources for recovery. Those needing support can dial 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org for information and assistance.

       

  • City Housing Department Provides Guidance for Renters - Information is available for rental units impacted by the fire, guidance to address housing discrimination and what to know about tenant harassment and other complaints. Visit lacity.gov for more information. 

     

  • Emergency Fund to Help Outdoor Workers - Inclusive Action has launched a new fund to help outdoors workers – street vendors, landscapers, and recyclers – impacted by the fires. Through this fund, impacted outdoor workers can apply for one-time cash assistance support of $500. Recipients will receive cash payments on a first-come, first-served basis, and as funding allows. Inclusive Action will prioritize community members who experienced direct losses due to the fire. For questions about the application process, please call (213) 435-1151 or email info@inclusiveaction.org. For more information, visit their Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) - Los Angeles County workers impacted by the severe wildfires and winds can now apply for federal DUA or regular unemployment benefits.

    • DUA is for workers—such as self-employed people—who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits and lost their jobs or had hours reduced because of the disaster.

      DUA benefits apply to losses beginning the week of January 12, 2025. Eligible full-time workers can receive between $186 and $450 per week, for up to 26 weeks. 

      DUA benefit claims must be filed by March 10, 2025. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/DUA-Info Or call toll-free, Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM

      English, Spanish & other interpreter services available free of charge: 1-800-300-5616

      TTY:1-800-815-9387

       

  • FEMA Disaster Assistance Resources in Multiple languages - FEMA offers help and information in multiple languages. Visit the following links for more information: 

    Or call the FEMA Helpline at

    • Press 1 for English
    • Press 2 for Spanish
    • Press 3 for other languages

      Dial 711 or video relay services are available.

 

  • LA County Disaster Recovery Centers: Disaster recovery centers serve as a one-stop shop for survivors, offering assistance for those who have lost vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses, social security documentation), applying to disaster relief programs, accessing information on housing and rental assistance, connecting with state agency representatives, and getting help from nonprofit organizations. The locations and hours are as follows: 
    • UCLA Research Park West 10850 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
    • Pasadena City College – Community Education Center 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107

    • HOURS OF OPERATION: January 14, 2025 –TBD, Monday – Sunday, 9:00am to 8:00pm

      For more information visit: https://emergency.lacity.gov/recovery 

       

  • N95 Masks Available: The South Coast Air Quality Management District recommends people wear well-fitting, medical grade masks while outside when air quality is poor, or if you smell smoke or see ash. The City of Los Angeles has distributed N95 masks throughout public libraries and community centers. Residents are encouraged to pick up a mask during normal business hours, while supplies last.

    • Find your nearest library in LA County: https://lapl.org/branches 
    • Find your nearest Recreation Center/Senior Center in LA County: https://www.laparks.org/reccenter 
    • Information about free N95 masks in the City of Long Beach: https://bit.ly/LBnews-N95 
    • For more detailed information about air quality related to the wildfires, visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s website at: https://www.aqmd.gov/ 
    • To get help on the phone with the latest information available on a location near you providing free N95 masks call 211.

     

  • Help With Retrieving Pets From City Evacuation Areas - If you need help retrieving your pet from the evacuation area, call 213-270-8155. You will be prompted to answer key questions about your pet, its possible location and its needs. A care team made of LA Animal Services staff and LAPD officers will receive your request and provide assistance. You will be notified once the care team has visited the property.  

     

  • Care Camps for Youth and Teens: To support families impacted by the Eaton fire, L.A. County Parks Care Camps will provide youth and teens with a supportive space for fun and recreation including music, arts and crafts, sports activities and field trips to the L.A. County Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Dodger Stadium, & more. Breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided daily; teens will also get supper. For more information and to register, visit parks.lacounty.gov/care-camps/

     

  • Debris Removal:  State and federal debris removal teams are now pre-positioned to quickly move into the wildfire affected areas once deemed safe by emergency officials. This work builds on the Governor’s Executive Order to fast track the organization of debris removal operations. FEMA is contributing over $100 million to this effort, and the EPA will be fielding 40 teams for debris removal, which is roughly 500 personnel in the field. Debris removal will take place in multiple steps. Teams will clear hazardous waste, such as paint and pesticides, before moving to the next phase of removing structural debris, compromised trees, and testing soil for contaminants. Click here for more information. 

     

  • Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is now operational for those impacted by the ongoing Southern California Wildfires. TSA is a FEMA program that provides financial assistance for survivors who need short-term temporary housing - covering the cost of hotels or other forms of temporary shelter. Individuals who have already registered with FEMA for disaster assistance will be contacted if they qualify for the program.

     

  • The Small Business Administrations (SBA) is also on the ground providing disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses. In particular, SBA is providing subsidized low interest disaster loans to help those who qualify rebuild their homes and businesses. Click here for more information. 

     

  • How to Report Predatory Real Estate Speculators: Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order meant to protect wildfire victims from predatory real estate investors making unsolicited and undervalued offers for their property. The executive order makes predatory officers within the affected areas illegal for three months following the date of the order. The Department of Real Estate is also directed to give notice to the public of their rights under the law. Violating the executive order is considered a misdemeanor under California law. The Governor is calling on individuals to report violations to the Attorney General’s office. Click here for more information.

     

  • Helping Displaced Students:  Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order assisting displaced students in the affected areas. Displaced students will now be allowed to attend school outside of their district. Meanwhile, rules were suspended to make it easier for impacted schools to use temporary facilities. The order also directs destroyed or damaged schools to develop a plan for serving displaced students in the long term while rebuilding. Click here to learn more. 

     

  • On Tuesday, January 14, the California Department of Insurance amended its bulletin protecting home insurance coverage for survivors in the affected areas. The amended bulletin expands the number of zip codes covered in Southern California

     

  • About 53,000 wildfire victims have registered with FEMA for individual assistance, distributing close to $12 million so far. 

     

  • At the January 15, 2025 - LA County/City One Voice Press Conference public safety officials reported little to no fire growth in both the Palisades and Eaton fires and fire-related deaths remained at 24. 

     

  • About 82,400 Los Angeles County residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders. The number of residents under evacuation warnings increased to about 90,400 due to the ongoing Santa Ana wind event. More than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

     

  • Appointments can be made for the upcoming free insurance workshops with the California Department of Insurance in Santa Monica and Pasadena. 

     

  • Please continue to be aware of price gouging and scams related to online fundraisers, insurance and government benefits. To report this suspected illegal activity, visit the Attorney General's Website here.

     

  • If you are looking someone impacted by the fires, or if you want to inform family that you are safe, contact the Red Cross at (800) 675-5799 or click here.

     

  • A curfew order, which runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., remains in effect for the various zones under orders and warnings. Arrests continue to be made for any violations. 

Previous Updates (January 13, 2025)

  • LA County's central incident response website for the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Sunset Fire and other wildfires includes information such as shelters, water alerts, impacts to LA County services, shelters and more.

     

  • The National Weather Service has issued 2 red flag warnings for Particularly Dangerous Situations (PDS) in the Los Angeles region. Extreme fire danger will continue thru Wednesday. PDS Red Flag Warnings are for the extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios. Peak winds for the next event will be weaker than those last week. Nevertheless, winds will be strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth, with 45-70 mph wind gusts. Stay aware of your surroundings, DO NOT do anything that could spark a fire, have multiple ways to receive evacuation information and emergency alerts. 

     

     

  • Tax Relief for Los Angeles Wildfire Survivors: 
    • The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is providing state disaster tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by the recent Southern California wildfires. Los Angeles County taxpayers will be allowed to postpone their 2024 tax return filings until October 15, 2025. This delay aligns with the recently granted federal extension. Click here for more information on the scope of individuals covered by the tax extensions.

    • Governor Newsom also announced that the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has extended the tax filing deadline for three months for taxpayers and businesses in Los Angeles County. Click here for more information on the CDTFA extension.

       

  • FEMA Assistance: President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration last week to support the costs of recovery for both local municipalities and wildfire survivors in the Los Angeles area. Los Angeles County residents with wildfire-related needs may be eligible for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Individuals with insurance must file a claim with their insurance company before applying for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA assistance can cover a wide range of needs for wildfire-impacted individuals and families including:

    • Essential Items - Food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medications and other emergency supplies.
    • Housing Needs - Hotel costs, rental assistance, and other housing costs for residents who have been displaced from their homes.

    Residents can also apply for FEMA assistance by:

    • Going in person to a Local Assistance Center (LAC)
    • Going online to DisasterAssistance.gov
    • Using the FEMA App
    • Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362
    • Reaching out to their Congressional representative.

     

  • FEMA at the Library: Today, January 13 from 9am to 5pm, FEMA staff will be on site at seven libraries throughout Los Angeles County. They will offer assistance to those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Click here to learn more.

 

  • FEMA & GoFundMe

    FAQ: If I receive donations from a GoFundMe page or something similar, FEMA will not help me. 

    • It depends. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source. However, there are many different types of assistance available through FEMA and FEMA reviews each application to ensure you receive the aid for which you are eligible. If you receive money from a GoFundMe page for a specific disaster-related expense--such as home repairs, funeral expenses or other emergency needs—you may not be able to receive FEMA aid for the same expense. All survivors are encouraged to apply for assistance regardless so FEMA can review your specific case.

 

  • Streamlining Efforts to Rebuild: On Sunday, January 12, 2025 Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to streamline the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed in the recent Southern California firestorms.

     

  • Expedited Debris Removal: Governor Newsom signed a second executive order on January 12, 2025 to support recovery efforts in Los Angeles – laying groundwork for debris removal and preparing for mudslides and flooding.

     

  • To view the morning press conference from January 13, 2025: LA County/LA City One Voice on the Los Angeles County wildfires, click here.

     

  • Preparations for Renewed Wildfire Weather: More emergency resources and personnel have been deployed in Southern California in anticipation of a potential new round of severe wildfire weather. When taken together with existing resources on the ground, the totals break down as follows: 15,000+ personnel, 1,350+ engines, 80+ aircraft, 150+ dozers, 160+ water tenders. Governor Newsom also increased the number of California National Guard personnel supporting response efforts to 2,500 service members. Click here to learn more.

     

  • Mutual Aid From Our Neighbors: International support for the state’s firefighting efforts continues to grow. More than 70 firefighters and disaster relief workers arrived from Mexico on Saturday to help with ongoing firefighting efforts. Click here to learn more.

     

  • California Department of Insurance: Constituents impacted by the fires can make appointments to attend free, upcoming insurance workshops in Santa Monica and Pasadena. To make an appointment, call (800) 927-4357.

Santa Monica College, Performing Arts Center East Wing
1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Saturday, January 18th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, January 19th 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pasadena City College
1570 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106

Saturday, January 25th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, January 26th 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Insurance Commissioner Lara sent a notice to health insurers directing them to file emergency plans with the state to ensure that those affected by the fires retain access to medically-necessary healthcare for the duration of the state of emergency. This includes allowing for 90-day prescription drug refills and suspending refill waiting periods for all drug tiers, including specialty drugs. Health insurers are required to file their plans within 48 hours of the emergency declaration, which Governor Newsom issued earlier this week. 

Click here for wildfire resources related to insurance.

 

Previous Updates

  • As of 9 a.m. Thursday, January 9, Governor Newsom’s office reported that more than 7,500 personnel, 1,162 fire engines, 127 water tenders, 6 air tankers, 53 dozers, and 31 helicopters from local, state, federal and out-of-state agencies were on scene fighting the fires.
  • Officials from the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office plan to be at Local Assistance Centers established by the county to offer guidance and resources to property owners. The agency will also expedite the processing of “Misfortune and Calamity” claims for property tax relief for damaged or destroyed properties. Constituents can contact the agency by calling (213) 974-3211 or visiting assessor.lacounty.gov.
  • Attorney General Bonta issued a consumer alert reminding residents that price gouging is illegal during a state of emergency. Suspected price gouging should be reported to local authorities or the Attorney General at oag.ca.gov/report. Law enforcement officials also warned of looting instances in the evacuated areas.

  • Insurance Commissioner Lara recently announced action to protect insurance coverage for Southern California wildfire survivors. Under state law, once the fire’s perimeter is determined, Commissioner Lara will issue a Bulletin identifying areas in the immediate vicinity of the fires that will be protected for one-year from homeowners’ insurance non-renewal or cancellation due to wildfire risk. 

     

Windstorm & Wildfire Emergency Preparedness Resources

Smoke & Ash Health Safety Tips

Power Outages & Water Safety

  • Read FEMA’s tips on how to protect yourself during an outage and returning home safely after an outage.
  • Learn when there’s an outage in your area and when power will be restored if your service provider is Southern California Edison.
  • Water utilities or government agencies issue drinking water advisories if tap water is, or could be harmful. Learn about the different types of water advisories that could be issued in an emergency and what they mean: https://bit.ly/CDCWaterAdvisories 

  • Get tips on how to create and store an emergency water supply.

     

Wildfire Preparedness

  • Get your emergency supply kit ready well before any wildfire or disaster. Make sure it’s accessible for quick evacuation and prepare for the possibility of being away from home for a while. Find CAL FIRE's guide on creating an emergency 'Go Bag' here.
  • Know what to do during a wildfire evacuation. The Go! Evacuation Guide offers crucial information on pre-evacuation steps, evacuation methods, animal safety, and what to do if trapped.
  • Create your personalized wildfire preparedness plan with CAL FIRE’s digital planning tool.

  • Access FEMA's guide on preparing disabled family members for evacuation: https://www.ready.gov/disability 

     

Insurance Claims & Disaster Assistance

  • The Department of Insurance (CDI) provides tips for consumers facing evacuation such as getting help with additional costs of living incurred by a policyholder should they be temporarily displaced from their place of residence: https://bit.ly/CDI-EvacChecklist 

  • Check out CDI’s “Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants”. It provides a clear set of steps and contact information for policyholders when preparing for a possible evacuation or catastrophic loss.

     

Sign Up for Alerts

  • Receive emergency alerts by text, email and/or phone call from the County of Los Angeles. Register at https://bit.ly/Alert-LACounty
  • In the event of an emergency, severe weather, or any incident that impacts Long Beach City operations, a text message and/or voice message will be sent to the cell number and/or email address that you specify. Sign up at https://bit.ly/alert-LongBeach 

  • Additional Alert Systems: Cities, special districts, employers, schools and universities may each have their own emergency notification systems. View the list of systems utilized by jurisdictions throughout LA County and be sure to opt-in to your jurisdiction’s alerting system.

     

Traveling & Transportation 

  • If you must drive, download the Caltrans QuickMap app to learn up-to-the minute road information on traffic, closures and more. You can also visit QuickMap.dot.ca.gov 
  • Long Beach Transit provides updates whenever there is a disruption in service including closures, route changes and detours at https://ridelbt.com/service-alerts-and-news/

  • LA Metro alerts and advisories for rail, bus and elevator & escalator services can be found here: https://alerts.metro.net/