Emergency resources for wildfire-affected residents in Los Angeles

Updated
Table of contents
Table of contents

As wildfires continue to affect Los Angeles residents and surrounding communities, organizations and agencies (as well as some private companies) have stepped forward to provide crucial support. Here are the available resources and how to access them.

Federal disaster assistance is available now

President Biden has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the L.A. fires, enabling residents and businesses in wildfire evacuation zones to access immediate and long-term federal relief.

Here's how you can apply for assistance:

Get in-person help with your FEMA application

On Monday, January 13, FEMA officials will be at L.A. County libraries to help residents access federal relief in-person, including:

As of Monday, January 13, the hours for in-person FEMA assistance were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional dates and locations may be added in the future.

Available relief programs for the L.A. fires (as of January 9, 2025)

For residents and homeowners:

  • Temporary displacement assistance covering hotel costs for up to two weeks
  • Up to $770 for essential personal items
  • Direct grants for critical needs including medical bills and car repairs

For businesses and property owners:

Food assistance

The following aid organizations are providing food and other personal necessities to wildfire survivors and first responders:

Food delivery services

Instacart delivery fees on all grocery and daily essentials orders of $10 or more are waived for customers in L.A. County as of January 12, 2025. DoorDash has waived fees on all orders as of January 10.

Transportation assistance

Several transportation providers are offering emergency support as of January 9, 2025:

Rideshare services

  • Lyft: Riders in need can use the code CAFIRERELIEF25, valid for 2 rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for 500 riders from now until 1/15 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Uber: Use promo code WILDFIRE25 in the wallet section of your Uber app to redeem a free Uber ride up to $40.

Public transit

  • L.A. Metro: As of January 9, 2025, all fare collection has been temporarily suspended systemwide

Road closures

Emergency housing for people and pets affected by the L.A. fires

As of January 9, 2025, Airbnb, in partnership with 211 LA, is providing free temporary housing for displaced residents. Submit your information through this form to be notified when there’s availability. Keep in mind that space is limited—form submission does not guarantee placement.

Eligibility requirements:

  • You must have been displaced from your physical home due to the recent fires.
  • You must currently reside in an evacuation zone.
  • You must have an active Airbnb account or be able to create one.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older.

The following evacuation shelters are currently open as of January 9, 2025:

  • Arcadia Community Center – 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007
  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
  • Pan Pacific Recreational Center – 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
  • Westwood Recreation Center – 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • El Camino Real Charter High School – 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
  • Pasadena Civic Center – 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
  • Pomona Fairplex – 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

The following shelters are currently housing animals:

(Small animals)

  • Agoura Animal Care Center – 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center – 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
  • Carson Animal Care Center – 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248
  • Downey Animal Care Center – 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center – 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center – 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550

(Large animals)

  • Pomona Fairplex – 1101 W McKinley Ave. Pomona
  • Industry Hills Expo – 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744
  • Antelope Valley Fair – 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536

What to do if your home was destroyed

If you’re a homeowner and lost your home in the ongoing wildfires, start a claim with your home insurance company as soon as possible. Check your policy to make sure, but you may be able to get some of your payout immediately, or have your temporary housing paid for by the insurance company.

Because the L.A. fires resulted in an official state of emergency, your insurance company may be required to immediately pay you for:

  • At least one-third of the estimated value of your personal belongings
  • At least four months’ worth of rent for the local area

A wildfire property claim may take several months or even years for your insurance provider to resolve. Here’s what to do to make the insurance process as smooth and efficient as possible:

  • Start a recovery diary now and take detailed notes of every time your contact your insurance company about your claim, including who you talked to and what you discussed
  • Keep records and receipts of any hotel bills and evacuation costs
  • If it’s safe, take photos and inventory of the damage and what remains before any cleanup or debris removal

If you’re a renter, your renter’s insurance may cover the cost of any lost belongings and temporary housing. Check with your insurance company to find out what kind of protection you have.

Essential apps for staying informed about the L.A. fires

Watch Duty

This app provides a map-based interface showing active wildfires across the U.S., with flame icons indicating current fire locations.

Genasys Protect

A community safety platform where local officials share:

Health and mental health support

Emergency medical care

If you need immediate medical attention:

  • Visit an urgent care location
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency department
  • Call 911

Mental health support

24/7 mental health helpline for emergency and clinical services: 1 (800) 854-7771

This information will be updated as additional resources become available. Please share this guide with anyone who might need assistance.