HOT TOPICS

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 7:00PM, 1/19/25

The National Weather Service has forecast another bout of Santa Ana Winds expected to hit Los Angeles Monday morning through Tuesday evening, bringing with it the continued risk of extreme fire weather.

RED FLAG WARNING

Red Flag Alert parking restrictions will be in effect beginning Monday morning, January 21 at 8:00AM until further notice.

HILLSIDE CLOSURES

  • ALL of our hillside parks will be closed starting Monday, January 21 through at least Wednesday, while red flag warnings remain in effect. This includes Griffith Park, Lake Hollywood Park, Runyon Canyon, Wattles, the Hollywood Reservoir, Laurel Canyon Dog Park, Encino Reservoir, and and all MRCA overlooks including the Mulholland overlooks, Fryman-Wilacre, and Trebek Open Space. 

WINDBLOWN DUST & ASH ADVISORY

The South Coast AQMD has issued a windblown dust and ash advisory due to strong Santa Ana winds expected throughout the region Monday morning through Tuesday evening.

High winds may disperse ash from the Palisades and Eaton impact zones. It is particularly important to know that windblown ash particles may be too large to be detected by air quality instrumentation and not reflected in the Air Quality Index (AQI) map – although the AQI may show green, hazardous ash may be present in the air. However, ash is typically visible to the naked eye either in the air or on outdoor surfaces.

A good guideline for knowing when to take precautions is if any one of these three conditions is met: 

  • AQI Levels are elevated
  • You smell smoke
  • You see ash

If you checked any of the above boxes, please take the following precautions:

  • Limit your exposure by remaining indoors with windows and doors closed or seeking alternate shelter.
  • Avoid vigorous physical activity.
  • Run your air conditioning and/or an air purifier. If possible, do not use swamp coolers or whole house fans that bring in outside air. 
  • Always wear proper personal protective equipment (long sleeve shirts, pants, gloves and safety glasses) when working around ash. A well-fitting respirator such as an N-95 may provide some protection. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.
  • Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions (e.g., dry sweeping) that will put ash into the air. To clean up ash, use vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or mist lightly with water before gently sweeping.

PREVIOUS ADVISORIES:

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WAYS TO STAY UP TO DATE:

EMERGENCY UPDATES

FIRE UPDATES

EVACUATION UPDATES

The following facilities have been activated as evacuation sites:

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:

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 

Pasadena Civic Auditorium

  • 300 E Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
  • (626) 449-7360

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3)

  • 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
  • (909) 623-3111

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

METRO UPDATES

  • Metro is continuing to provide free fares systemwide while fire conditions exist.
  • Bus Lines 134 and 602 are canceled due to the Palisades Fire. There are detours on Bus Lines 267, 660 and 662.
  • Metro Micro: in Pasadena, Altadena, & Sierra Madre, service is currently suspended north of Sierra Madre Blvd. 
  • For a full list visit metro.net.

LAUSD UPDATES

  • LAUSD has reopened most schools. The following locations remain closed:
    • Canyon Charter Elementary, Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary, Palisades Charter Elementary, Marquez Charter Elementary, Topanga Charter Elementary, Lanai Road Elementary, and Paul Revere Middle School. The schools will reopen as soon as conditions allow, at which time, we will notify families. 
  • LAUSD is closely monitoring Roscomare Road Elementary and Community Magnet Charter which are currently in an evacuation warning zone.
  • For real time updates, please visit lausd.org. 

LADWP UPDATES

Last updated at 12:30PM, 1/19/25

As of Sunday morning, LADWP crews report that they have restored electric service to customers in the Brentwood, Encino and Bel-Air areas that were previously without power to protect public safety. LADWP crews worked through the night to make repairs and restore service to the remaining 1500 customers who were unable to be restored overnight Friday.  

Any customer in the Brentwood, Encino or Bel-Air neighborhoods without power should first reset their circuit breaker. If your power is still out, please report it by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397). 

RECOVERY UPDATES

The Emergency Management Department has compiled a comprehensive guide to wildfire recovery resources HERE.

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.

Air Quality Centers

Rec & Parks has opened at an Air Quality Centers at the following location from 9AM – 6PM:

Alpine Recreation Center: 817 Yale St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | (213) 485-5448

Please note: when activated as Air Quality centers, LA City’s Recreation and Parks’ facilities are pet-friendly. Dogs must be on a leash and all pets must be accompanied by their owner at all times

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.

LA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

  • 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.

AIR QUALITY WARNING

  • N95 masks are available at all Los Angeles public library locations.

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:

Disaster Resource Center

Disaster Resource Centers have been opened for individuals and families impacted by the fires at the following locations:

  • Westside Location:  10850 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064
  • Eastside Location: 3035 E. Foothill Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
  • Hours of Operation: Open 7 days a week 9AM-8PM

Emergency Management Department

The Emergency Management Department has compiled a comprehensive guide to wildfire recovery resources HERE.

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

If you see price gouging or if you’ve been the victim of it, file a report with the California Department of Justice.

Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Services

Rapid Response (RR) activities are designed to respond to layoffs by coordinating services to provide immediate assistance to employers and affected workers. RR activities include, but are not limited to, the provision of information and access to unemployment compensation benefits, continued health care, employment and training services (including those provided by the WorkSource and BusinessSource systems), emergency services, and other significant services.

  • Layoff Aversion Support – The Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles (LAEDC) offers no-cost consulting services to help businesses overcome challenges and find alternatives to layoffs.
  • Job Loss Assistance – Schedule an orientation to learn of the resources available to individuals who lost or will be losing their job due to no fault of their own.

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. 

Rec & Parks Free Day Camps

To support families impacted by the Palisades fire, the Department of Rec & Parks Support Camp will provide youth and teens with a supportive space for fun and recreation including music, arts and crafts, sports activities, field trips and more. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided daily. 

  • Dates: January 13 – 31, Mon-Fri 8AM to 6PM
  • Locations: 
    • Mar Vista Recreation Center, 11430 Woodbine St, Los Angeles, CA 90066 | (310) 398-5982
    • Oakwood Recreation Center, 767 California Ave, Venice, CA 90291 | (310) 452-7479