Stay Informed: L.A. County Wildfire Updates and Resources

As various fires continue to affect Los Angeles County, we’ve compiled a list of resources to support you and the families you serve during this difficult time.

Do you have a helpful resource to share? Please email us at info@LABestBabies.org.

Last updated: January 27, 2025, at 4:50 p.m.

L.A. County-Specific Updates

Evacuation updates, shelters, health alerts, and road closures: LACounty.gov/emergency
News, Information and Recovery Resources: Recovery.LACounty.gov
Real-time updates on the ongoing fires: App.WatchDuty.org and mobile app; LAist.com and LAist 89.3 FM
List of many emergency mass notification communication tools available to Los Angeles County residents: Ready.LACounty.gov/emergency-notifications/
Los Angeles County Fire Department: fire.lacounty.gov
City of Los Angeles Fire Department: lafd.org

Preparedness

Preparing for Wildfires (Ready LA County)
Wildfires and Your Safety (CDC)

Safety During and After Wildfires

Boil Water/Do Not Drink Notices (L.A. County Department of Public Health)
Air Quality Monitoring (AirNow.gov)
How to keep yourself safe from the dismal air quality driven by these fires (LAist)
Tips for Protecting Yourself from Wildfire Smoke (CDPH)
Staying Safe After a Wildfire (CDC)
Reduce Your Smoke Exposure (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Wildfire Smoke in Los Angeles County (LA County Department of Public Health)
N95 masks are available at all Los Angeles Public Library locations while supplies last. Visit http://lapl.org/branches for hours and updates.
How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire (available in multiple languages) (L.A. County Department of Public Health)
Returning Home After a Fire (L.A. County Department of Public Health)
Preparing to Return Home After the Fires: Frequently Asked Questions (L.A. County Department of Public Health)

Temporary Housing, Transportation

Information on Human and Animal Shelters (County of Los Angeles)
Limited Availability: Emergency stays through Airbnb for those impacted by wildfires (2-1-1)
Uber, Lyft offer free rides to Southern California residents affected by wildfires (KTLA 5 News)
L.A. Metro Service Updates Related to High Winds and Wildfires
211 LA Teams Up with Hilton and Partners to Provide Hotel Vouchers
See this Mutual Aid LA resource list for more resources

Food

Food Pantry Locator (LA Food Bank)
World Central Kitchen is providing food to evacuees and first responders
List of Food Pantries across LA County (Children’s Institute/Westside Food Bank)
WIC
- Participants who have lost their WIC Card or WIC foods should contact their local WIC office which can be found online at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.
- WIC families who have been dislocated by the fires and are staying in an area that is not near their regular WIC office or WIC grocer can find a nearby location finder at MyFamily.WIC.ca.gov.
See this Mutual Aid LA resource list for more food resources

Infant Feeding

Supporting Mental Health

Free eBooks to help young children and their families begin to talk about feelings and worries:
- Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire (available in multiple languages) (Piplo Productions)
- Once I Was Very Very Scared (audio book) (Piplo Productions)
3 tips for talking to kids about emergencies and natural disasters (LAist)
Tips for early childhood educators working with babies and toddlers: Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires: Tips for Early Childhood Educators (ZERO TO THREE)
Trauma Resources for Los Angeles-Area Communities (NAMI)
Parent Guide for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
How to Talk to Your Children About the California Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters (Parents)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) created a mobile app and parent guide to help children impacted by wildfires. Learn more about the app and access the guide.
How to Talk to Kids About Wildfires (PBS SoCal)
Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event Factsheet (CDC)
LA County Dept of Mental Health: Emotional support is available 24/7 via a helpline at 800-854-7771
Beloved toys and stuffed animals are gone. How parents can help kids understand L.A. fires (LA Times)
Mental Health and Stress after an Emergency (L.A. County Department of Public Health & L.A. County Department of Mental Health)
See the L.A. County Department of Mental Health’s Wildfire Disaster Mental Health Resources for more

California Workers’ Rights in Emergencies

This California Labor Code section provides protections to parents of school-aged children during natural disasters:

Labor Code section 230.8 – Gives job-protected time off when schools are closed due to natural disasters
Labor Code section 230.8 prohibits an employer with 25 or more employees from retaliating against an employee who is the parent of a child for taking off up to 40 hours a year, but no more than 8 hours per month, to participate in the child’s school activities, to locate or enroll the child in school or child care, or for school emergencies (no 8 hour restriction for school emergencies). For the purposes of this section, parent includes stepparent, foster parent, guardian, grandparent, or person who stands in the place of a parent for the child.

Additional information on employee rights during natural disasters is available here.

Disaster Relief and Recovery Resources

FEMA: Los Angeles County residents affected by the wildfires can apply for disaster assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov or 800-621-3362
California Department of Insurance: If you have been affected by the wildfires you can contact the California Department of Insurance with your insurance questions at 800-927-4357 or insurance.ca.gov.
LA County Assessor: “Misfortune and Calamity” Property Tax Relief: Property damaged or destroyed by the windstorms or wildfires may qualify for temporary property tax relief through the Misfortune and Calamity program. For more information and to download the claim form (ADS-820), visit assessor.lacounty.gov/tax-relief/disaster-relief or call (213) 974-3211.
L.A. County Registrar-Recorder Vital and Property Records
LA County residents directly impacted by the wildfires can request vital and property records (i.e., birth, death, marriage) FREE of charge from the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. You can call 1-800-201-8999 and select Option 1, followed by Option 2, or email recorder@rrcc.lacounty.gov for assistance. For more information, visit lavote.gov/recorder.
Guide to Disaster Assistance Services for Immigrant Californians (California Department of Social Services)
Local Assistance Centers & Disaster Recovery Centers for Impacted Residents:
They will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Westside Location: UCLA Research Park West, 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Eastside Location: Pasadena City College, Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
Learn about the debris removal process and efforts to rebuild as details become available: https://pw.lacounty.gov/epd/debris-removal/
CDPH activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program. People affected by the wildfire who need help filling prescriptions or getting medical equipment can locate participating pharmacies online.
Additional LA County resources are available here.

Additional Resources

The Mutual Aid LA Network is maintaining this Google Sheet listing resources for those affected by the fires. Updated continually with new resources or calls for volunteers and donations.
Red Cross: Family Assistance Centers will open to provide information to people looking for missing family and friends. For more information, contact (800) 675-5799 or visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones/california-wildfires-reunification.html
BreastfeedLA is coordinating donations of baby items (e.g., breast pumps, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and other essentials). If you would like to request donations, please complete this form.
Claris Health is open to anyone affected by the wildfires in need of clothing (baby, maternity, kids) and supplies. Contact Niki@clarishealth.org to organize pick up at a Claris Health center
LA County Parks Care Camp for Families Impacted by the Fires.
To support families impacted by the Eaton fire, LA County Parks Care Camp will provide youth (age 5-12: 8 am to 5 pm) and teens (age 13-17: 8 am to 7 pm) with a supportive space for fun and recreation from Monday to Friday, January 13 – January 31, 2025. Care Camp will feature music, arts and crafts, sports activities, and field trips to the LA County Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Dodger Stadium, & more. Breakfast, snacks, and lunch will be provided daily; teens will also get supper. Those under mandatory evacuation or significantly impacted by the fires can sign up for care camps here.
U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage at 92 Centers
DriveSavers is Offering One Million Dollars in Free Data Recovery Services to Victims of the Recent Southern California Wildfires
Free Cribs (Babyletto)
Wildfire-impacted residents can pick up their mail at relocated post offices or have mail forwarded to a temporary location: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/mail-services/
Animal Services Hotline: If you lost your pets due to the wildfires and need assistance finding them, call 213-270-8155
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in southern California affected by wildfires. These taxpayers now have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
LA County Emergency Resources for Workers and Businesses (LA Department of Economic Opportunity)
LA County residents impacted by the wildfires can pick up sandbags to protect their property from flooding. Staff are available between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Wildfire fund for pregnant and postpartum families (applications close February 5 at 5pm)
- families can earn $1,500 in one-time payments
- recipients will be awarded this support on a first-come, first-served basis, and as funds allow

How You Can Help

If you are looking to help residents impacted by the fires, please consider donations and volunteer opportunities with the following:

BreastfeedLA in partnership with North Valley Caring Services is accepting donations of gently used or new baby items. If you are interested in donating or need donations, please visit North Valley Caring Services, 15453 Rayen St., North Hills, CA 91343.

Their hours of operation are:

Monday – Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM