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LOS ANGELES WINDSTORM & FIRE UPDATES

Councilmember Raman and CD4 staff have been proactively contacting key City partners – Mayor’s Office, Emergency Management Department, LAPD, and LAFD – to pursue increased safety measures throughout Council District 4. 

Our office will continue to keep you up to date on further developments and community protections as information becomes available. 

HERE IS THE LATEST:

Last updated at 8:30PM, 1/11/25

A MANDATORY EVACUATION NOTICE remains in place for the Palisades Fire in parts of Encino and Tarzana. 

PALISADES FIRE EVACUATION ORDER

A Mandatory Evacuation Order is in place from Sunset Blvd north to residences around the Encino Reservoir and from the 405 Freeway West to Mandeville Canyon.

Click here for the evacuation map.

We ask that residents stay calm, heed all evacuation notices, and listen to officers’ instructions when evacuating.  Please let LAFD through while on the road and avoid the area once evacuated.

Evacuation Centers have been set up at the following locations: 

  • Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
  • Lanark Recreation Center, 21816 Lanark st in Canoga Park.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

A red flag warning was reissued through Wednesday, January 15th. Residents should remain on high alert, as dynamic wind conditions could quickly shift the fire’s direction.

Public Health has declared a Local Health Emergency and issued a Public Health Officer Order in response to the widespread impacts of the ongoing multiple critical fire events and windstorm conditions. 

  • To help protect the health and wellbeing of residents, the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, is prohibited until further notice.
  • Click here for more information.

PREVIOUS ADVISORIES:

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on socials @cd4losangeles for real time updates

WAYS TO STAY UP TO DATE:

EMERGENCY UPDATES

FIRE UPDATES

EVACTUATION UPDATES

The following facilities have been activated as evacuation sites:

Lanark Recreation Center

  • 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
    323-939-8874
  • Allows small pets 

Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center

  • 14201 Huston St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
    (818) 783-5121
  • Allows small pets 

The following facilities have been activated as emergency shelters:

Pan Pacific Recreation Center

  • 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
    323-939-8874
  • Allows small pets 

Westwood Recreation Center

  • 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • 310-473-3610
  • Allows small pets 

Stoner Recreation Center

  • 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
  • 310-479-7200
  • Allows small pets 

Ritchie Valens Recreation Center

  • 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331
  • (818) 834-5172
  • Allows small pets 

Large animal evacuation shelters:

LA Equestrian Center – currently at capacity

  • 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506

Hansen Dam Horse Park

11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342

Click here for the City’s interactive evacuation and road closures map

METRO UPDATES

  • Metro has suspended fares through SUNDAY
  • Shuttle buses replace trains in both directions on the A Line between Southwest Museum and Fillmore stations due to wind damage to overhead wires. ALLOW EXTRA TIME. This work will continue into Saturday. Bus Lines 134 and 602 are canceled due to the Palisades Fire. There are detours on Bus Lines 180, 217, 296, 660, 662 and 690.
  • Metro Micro: in Pasadena, Altadena, & Sierra Madre, service north of Woodbury Road, New York Drive, and Sierra Madre Boulevard is suspended
  • For a full list visit metro.net.

LAUSD UPDATES

  • All LAUSD schools will be closed through Friday. We do not have information on next week’s closures at this time.
  • For real time updates, please visit lausd.org. 

LADWP UPDATES

Last updated at 3:00PM, 1/11/25

  • As of 3:00 PM Saturday 1/11, 26,139 out of LADWP’s 1.5 million electric customers are without power—6,900 of those are customers located in the Palisades fire area.    
  • As of 3:00 PM, crews have restored power to 352,632 customers since the start of the windstorm.   
  •  There are 118 crews working to restore power and PG&E mutual aid crews are supporting our efforts.  It may take crews 48 hours to respond to an outage, with longer response times in some areas requiring complex repairs. Customers without power who are within or near fire impacted areas, may also experience extended outages of a longer duration due to damage to our equipment or the inability of crews to physically access the equipment or the area, to begin restoration. 
  • The communities with the most impacted customers as of 7 am are Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Los Feliz in the Metro area and North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, and Pacoima in the Valley.  

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

  • All LA City Parks sports and fitness programs and activities are suspended until further notice. All LA City Pools are closed. 

SAFETY INFORMATION:

Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.

POWER OUTAGES

Report downed trees and other non-life-threatening hazards to 311 (213-473-3231) or at https://lacity.gov/myla311.

To make sure you and your family are prepared in the event you lose power, LADWP recommends taking the following steps:

  • Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.
  • Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. During power outages, you may lose phone service and your cordless landline may also lose power.
  • Keep a fully charged portable charger handy in case you need to charge any of your electronics while the power is out.

If power does go out:

  • Report outages online at http://www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
  • Sign up for outage alerts at http://www.ladwp.com/outages.
  • Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.
  • Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold.
  • Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.
  • LADWP also reminds customers to use caution around any downed or dangling wires or poles. If you see a downed wire, always assume it is LIVE. Never touch ANY wire that is down or dangling and immediately dial 9-1-1.

SMOKE ADVISORY

Steps to protect yourself from dangerous smoke and ash:

1.  Monitor Local Air Quality

2.  Limit Your Outdoor Exposure

  • Stay Indoors: Avoid outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise, until air quality improves.
  • Plan Errands Wisely: Schedule necessary outdoor tasks for early mornings or evenings when air quality might be better.

3.  Seal and Protect Your Home

  • Close All Openings: Keep windows, doors, and vents shut to prevent smoke from entering.
  • Air Purifiers: Use HEPA filters to remove fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from indoor air. If you don’t own one, consider DIY options (e.g., attaching a HEPA filter to a box fan).
  • Inspect HVAC Systems: Use filters rated MERV-13 or higher for HVAC systems and set to recirculation mode to avoid drawing in smoky air.

4.  Protect Your Respiratory Health

  • Use Masks: Wear an N95 or P100 respirator outdoors to protect against fine particles in wildfire smoke. Avoid cloth or surgical masks, which are ineffective for smoke.
  • Limit Breathing Irritants:
  • Avoid burning candles, using fireplaces, or cooking with high heat, as these can worsen indoor air quality.

5.  Safely Handle Ash

  • Wear Protective Gear: When cleaning ash, use gloves, goggles, and a mask (N95 or better) to prevent contact and inhalation.
  • Wet Down Ash: Use water to dampen ash before sweeping or scooping it up. Avoid dry sweeping or using leaf blowers, as these can resuspend harmful particles.
  • Dispose Properly: Place ash in sealed bags and follow Los Angeles Sanitation (LASAN) guidelines for disposal.

6.  Take Care of Your Health

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep mucous membranes moist.
  • Medications: Keep asthma inhalers, allergy medications, or other necessary prescriptions easily accessible.
  • Seek Medical Attention: If you experience difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, or chest pain, consult a healthcare provider immediately.

7.  Protect Pets

  • Indoors for Pets: Keep pets inside as much as possible, especially during peak smoke periods. 
  • Fresh Water: Ensure pets have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
  • Outdoor Time: Limit outdoor activities for animals and avoid areas with visible ash.

WAYS TO BE PREPARED:

  • Have Your GO Bag Ready: Pack essentials like clothing, medications, important documents, water, non-perishable food, phone chargers, and a flashlight. Include masks and any supplies you’d need for children, pets, or elderly family members.
  • Charge Up and Fuel Up: Fully charge your phones and backup batteries. Ensure your vehicle’s gas tank is full or your electric car is fully charged.
  • Stay Alert: Sign up for NotifyLA for real-time updates. Download the Watch Duty app to monitor active wildfires. Monitor LAFD alerts, weather reports, and local news. If you are an iPhone user, make sure your emergency, public safety, and government alerts are turned on. 
  • Plan Your Route: Know multiple ways to leave your neighborhood in case of an evacuation. Have a plan to reunite with family or loved ones if you’re separated.
  • Prepare Your Home: Clear debris, dead leaves, and other flammable materials from around your home. Ensure garden hoses are connected and ready to use. Close windows and vents to prevent embers from entering your home.

AVAILABLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.

CA Department of Insurance Wildfire Resources

The California Department of Insurance is available to assist affected Angelenos as they begin working with insurance agents or brokers. They are encouraged to call 1-800-927-4357 or visit the Insurance Wildfire Resources to ask questions about insurance coverage and/or disputes with insurance agencies

JFLA Emergency Loans for Wildfire Evacuees

If you or someone you know has been evacuated due to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) is here to help with the cost of temporary housing. Our emergency loans can provide much-needed financial assistance during this challenging time. 

 JFLA’s emergency loans can be used to cover expenses such as: 

·     Hotel or motel rooms 

·     Short-term rentals through Airbnb, VRBO, or other platforms 

·     Travel outside of the Los Angeles area 

·     Other temporary accommodations for evacuees 

These zero-interest, zero-fee loans of up to $15,000 are available to eligible applicants.  

Recognizing that not everyone has access to a guarantor, we are offering a limited number of loans without guarantors of up to $2,000 to people affected by the wildfires. These will go out on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 CLICK HERE TO APPLY

SBA Disaster Loans

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration is expected to have SBA disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes in areas covered by a disaster declaration. You can find more information here:

Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation Business Assistance 

Community Investment for Families Department Resource Centers

  • CIFD’s FamilySource Centers are open and available to support families during this critical time, offering emergency services, financial coaching, housing navigation, and other resources to help families rebuild and recover. 
  • Please visit LA4Families.org to find the latest updates on open locations near you.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Insurance Claims & Recovery Tips

  • Document damage with photos or videos
  • Keep all receipts for expenses related to evacuation or temporary housing
  • Click here for Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants
  • For personalized assistance, contact the California Department of Insurance hotline at (800) 927-4357

Consumer Protections & Price Gouging Resources

Mental Health Resources for Those Impacted by Wildfire

If you or your loved ones are experiencing mental health distress related to the wildfires in California, do not hesitate to ask for help. 24/7 support and resources are available through our Help Line at (800) 854-7771 and through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

See below resources for additional ways you can support yourself and others during this time:

Guidelines to Help Children Impacted by Wildfire

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has provided parent guidelines for helping children navigate the effects of a wildfire. This fact sheet describes common reactions children may have after a wildfire, what to do to help, and self-care tips for parents.