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Los Angeles Wildfires: Safety & Support Guide for Angelenos

Posted February 18, 2025

Updated: February 18, 2025

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

Locate Evacuation centers: LA County centers and Red Cross hosted sites.

Specialized Support

Wildfire & Windstorm Resources for older and disabled adults from the Los Angeles County Department of Aging and Disabilities.
Disability Disaster Access & Recovery Center: Assistance for individuals with disabilities or older adults.
Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities from the American Red Cross.
Wildfire Resource Guide from Disability Rights California.

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

If you find injured wildlife, please text the Pasadena Humane Society wildlife helpline at 626 344 1129. If you find any other animal, including dogs and cats, please call Animal Control at 626 792 7151 ext. 970.
Due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, the following shelters are available for animals affected by the evacuation orders.
Check out this Emergency Preparedness for Pets guide from LA Animal Services.
CAMP is providing free vet care for pets affected by the LA Wildfires, and free pet food and supplies.

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.
LA Disaster Relief Navigator - A tool to highlight resources available to those whose lives were impacted by this year’s wildfires

Weather & Preparedness Resources

Local weather updates from the National Weather Service.
Wildfire preparation tips from CAL FIRE.

Health & Safety Tips

Protect Your Lungs & Air Quality

Check air quality: U.S. Air Quality Index and South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The CDC recommends to use N95/P100 masks outdoors; keep windows closed and use HEPA air purifiers.
Fire Safety and Health Information from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
L.A. County Fires Safety Tips for Outdoor and Indoor Safety including Tips for Cleaning, Breathing and Pets from the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

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

Apply for FEMA assistance (temporary housing, emergency needs, or repair grants) at DisasterAssistance.gov, via the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362. Contact your Congressional member’s office for help with forms or additional assistance.
Local Assistance & Disaster Resource Centers will be open to the public daily until further notice. Assessor staff will be on-site at two locations to help property owners file Misfortune & Calamity Relief Claims and provide support.
The City of Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department has compiled a list of resources available for businesses and workers impacted by the Los Angeles City Wildfires.
The California Department of Insurance is offering assistance with wildfire-related insurance claims. Call 800-927-4357.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder is providing vital and property records access for those affected by the fires.
The Institute for Nonprofit News is providing grants to local newsrooms reporting on California wildfires

Emergency Shelters & Housing Accomodations

Airbnb.org, in partnership with 211 LA, is offering free temporary housing to those displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires.
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.
Access LAHSA’s 24-hour emergency shelters through the Emergency Response Program by dialing 211.
Safe Parking LA offers services for vehicular homelessness: Call/text 323-210-3375 or email warmline@safeparkingla.com.
To locate an open Disaster Recovery Center, text DRC and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
To locate an open emergency shelter, text SHELTER and a zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
Lists of hotel availability for Los Angeles, Anaheim & Orange County, and Torrance.

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

Department of Recreation and Park Support Camps provide a supportive and safe environment for children and families impacted by the Palisades fires.
The Department of Recreation and Park is offering FREE drop-in programs at select recreation centers. Available for children ages 5-12, and providing a safe environment during school closures.
Los Angeles City Community Investment for Families Department’s FamilySource Centers (FSCs) are open to support families during this critical time.
YMCAs across our county are offering services ranging from emergency child care services to food distributions, and much more.
Family and Community Recovery Guide designed to provide valuable information and resources during natural disasters from LAUSD.

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.
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

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline provides free, 24/7 multilingual crisis counseling at 1-800-985-5990.
LAUSD Student and Family Wellness Resource Line, students and families can call 213-241-3840 (Monday - Friday, 7 am - 6 pm) for mental health support for students and families.
Resources to Support Firefighters & their Families from the Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health.
Helping Communities and Families Recover from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers resources to help children and families cope with disasters (full list here).
Disaster Mental Health Resources from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Mental Health and Wellness Resources - Wildfire and Windstorm from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, and a Spanish version.
selfsea, powered by Peer Health Exchange, is a web app co-designed with young people to provide youth with safe, inclusive, evidence-based, and identity-affirming health resources and information.

Goods, Supplies, & More

SUAY has a free store for fire relief, offering no-cost clothing to those that need it.
The LA Times has compiled a list of free and discounted resources available to fire victims.
Eater LA and The Infatuation have compiled lists of Los Angeles Restaurants offering those impacted free and discounted food.
Families impacted by the LA fires, can apply to have the rest of your feeding journey covered by Bobbie's LA Fire Relief Fund.
To support the community, Babyletto will be providing cribs to any families that have lost their homes or been impacted by the fires. Contact info@babyletto.com.
Seahorse Sound Studios is offering gear storage to anyone impacted by the fires.
LA Opera - LA Opera is offering up to four (4) complimentary tickets to Kelli O'Hara in Concert on Saturday, February 1 at 7:30pm
LA County - Offering free fire debris removal for those affected by the fires

Funds & Monetary Support

Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles Wildfire Victim Relief will provide long-term solutions for families affected by this tragedy.
Inclusive Action’s Open Air Worker Emergency Fund will help outdoor workers – street vendors, landscapers, and recyclers – impacted by the fires. For questions about the application process, contact (213) 435-1151 or info@inclusiveaction.org.
SAG-AFTRA's Disaster Relief Fund is dedicated to addressing the most dire needs of SAG-AFTRA members due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
With OSMOS, the Western Catskills-based recreational arts organization Arts&Rec has decided to open its multi-person artist residency in Stamford, New York, to affected artists from Los Angeles county. Reach out to director@artsandrec.com
We Are Moving The Needle's new MicroGrants Fund for Wildfire Relief will provide targeted support for producers, engineers and creators affected by the Greater Los Angeles Wildfires.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund will provide immediate financial assistance to music industry professionals impacted by natural disasters.
The Dramatists Guild Foundation’s Crisis Relief Grants are designed to assist writers experiencing unexpected financial, personal, or medical crises.
The Support Small Businesses: Insurance Deductible Relief Fund is being created to support impacted small businesses with cash-based mutual aid to help cover the costs of deductibles for insurance claims.

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

Feb. 22, 10 - 11:30 am | LAUSD Rooted in Resilience: Caring for Yourself and Your Family in Unpredictable Times

AuthorTeam LA2050

CollectionResources and Guides