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Los Angeles Wildfires: Safety & Support Guide for Angelenos

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Wildfires are currently affecting communities across LA County, but in challenging times like these, our strength lies in coming together. Below, you'll find critical information for Angelenos, including emergency response and evacuation guidance, tools for tracking fire activity, health and safety tips, support for those impacted, and more.

If you know of additional resources that could make a difference, please email us at connect@la2050.org or DM us @LA2050.org.

[Related: Our Los Angeles Wildfires: Volunteer & Support Guide for ways to help including volunteering and donating.]

Emergency Response & Evacuation

Resources for those facing emergencies

Emergency Alerts & Updates

  • Sign up for LA City’s Emergency Alert System NotifyLA.
  • Visit lacounty.gov/emergency for LA County evacuation updates.
  • Visit ca.gov/lafires for essential resources ranging from live notifications, disaster assistance, individual assistance, and more.

Reporting Hazards

  • New fires and life threatening emergencies: Call 911 immediately.
  • Police non-emergency services: Call 877-275-5273.
  • Roadblocks: Report via MyLA311, app, or call 311.
  • Power outages: Visit LADWP outages or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
  • Fallen trees or wind related hazards: Call LA County Public Works at 800-675-4357.

Evacuation Centers & Shelters

Specialized Support

Preparedness Checklist

  • Follow the LAFD home evacuation checklist, including the “6 P’s”: people/pets, papers, prescriptions, photos, personal computers, and plastics (ID/cards/cash).

Traffic & Road Closures

  • Check real-time updates on the CalTrans website.

Pets & Wildlife

Fire Tracking & Updates

Tools for monitoring wildfire activity

Real-Time Fire Updates

Apps & Tools

  • Genasys Protect, a free tool designed to provide official safety information directly from local authorities during emergencies like wildfires.
  • Watch Duty, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offers a free app which alerts you of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.

Weather & Preparedness Resources

Health & Safety Tips

Protect Your Lungs & Air Quality

Food Safety During Outages

  • Follow USDA guidelines: Keep fridge closed; perishable food is safe for 4 hours without power, frozen food for up to 48 hours if the freezer is full.
  • File a claim with SoCal Edison or LADWP if you lost food during a recent outage, for a possible reimbursement.
  • If you currently receive CalFresh benefits and lost food due to an electrical outage, fire, or need to evacuate you could get credit back on your EBT card. Click here for ways to file your disaster replacement claim.

Resources for Those Impacted

Financial Assistance & Relief Programs

Emergency Shelters & Housing Accomodations

Food Programs & Basic Needs Support

  • Disaster CalFresh is a program that provides immediate food assistance for victims of natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or fires.
  • The Los Angeles Regional Foodbank is working with government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based partners and others to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County.
  • Westside Foodbank has organized a map and list of free food distribution from 60 partner agencies on the front lines of social services and hunger relief.
  • World Central Kitchen is distributing free hot meals to the public at the following locations in Southern California in response to multiple active wildfires near Los Angeles.

Childcare & Family Support

Transportation Services

  • Metro continues to be in service. Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn has also authorized suspending fares while wildfire conditions exist.
  • In response to the fires, Big Blue Bus has suspended fare collection until further notice.
  • Pasadena Transit & Dial-A-Ride has resumed service, and rides are free.
  • Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 2,000 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
  • Residents in Los Angeles County who’ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.
  • Amtrak is offering a $10 one-way ticket on its Pacific Surfliner to help Southern Californians reach their destinations. Purchase discounted tickets online using the code V505 by Friday Jan. 17 and are valid for trips between Jan. 13 and Jan. 24.

Mental Health Support

Goods, Supplies, & More

Funds & Monetary Support

News

Combat the spread of misinformation during natural disasters by relying on verified sources, cross-checking information, and sharing updates only from trusted authorities.

Government Agencies and Departments

Utilities Updates

Media

Crisis Education Resources

Upcoming Community Events

AuthorTeam LA2050