DISTRICT 4 Newsletters

Thursday Storm Update  

Dear friend,

It has been a devastating three days here in Los Angeles. We are responding to a natural disaster on a scale far beyond anything we have experienced in decades, and my heart aches for everyone who has been directly impacted by the fires. 

I have such intense gratitude for our first responders who have been working around the clock to keep us safe. I saw them first hand at work in our city’s response yesterday to the Sunset Fire in the area of Runyon Canyon, where LAPD knocked on doors to inform people about the mandatory evacuation and managed the traffic getting out of very narrow streets in the hillsides, and our Fire Department quickly brought all of the resources they had available to stop that fire from spreading. Thousands of people were able to evacuate to safety, and thanks to the work of LAFD, the fire was addressed quickly. The Department of Recreation and Parks set up an evacuation center in Pan Pacific Park, and the Red Cross, along with my staff, Council District 5’s staff, and volunteers helped evacuees settle in for the night. Today, residents are able to be back in their homes. 

*Restricted Access to the Hollywood Hills*

To support first responders and ensure community safety, we strongly urge non-residents and non-essential workers to stay out of the hills where red flag warnings continue to be in effect.

A few quick updates about fires impacting LA – 

Sunset Fire

LAFD has reported that the Sunset Fire is 100% contained. Crews were able to rapidly and aggressively attack the fire using coordinated air and ground fire suppression efforts, with no structures impacted. 

As of 7:30 this morning, the evacuation order for the Hollywood Hills neighborhood surrounding the Sunset Fire has been completely lifted.

Sunswept Fire 

LAFD has reported that the Sunswept Fire in Studio City has been extinguished. LAFD poured all available resources onto the fire and, through a combined effort, were in preventing another devastating brush fire. Firefighters stopped the forward progress at just under an acre.

Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire remains an active emergency, having spread more than 15,800 acres. An evacuation order remains in effect and all residents are advised to leave the area. The City is continuing to provide shelter and resources to impacted families, and evacuation shelters can be found at the following locations: 

  • Evacuated Residents and Families and Small Animals:
    • Westwood Recreation Center | 1350 S Sepulveda Boulevard 
  • Emergency Evacuation Shelter for Large Animals: 
    • Hansen Dam Horse Park | 11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342

Kenneth Fire

LAFD has issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills. As of 3:15pm today, residents within the boundaries of Vanowen south to Burbank Blvd and County Lane Road east to East Valley Circle Blvd have been directed to evacuate immediately. Please follow lafd.org/alerts for real time evacuation alerts, or download the Watch Duty app on your phones which provides notifications and maps. 

For all other regional fire information, I encourage you to download the Watch Duty app on your smartphones for the latest updates and maps of evacuation warnings and orders. 

I know this has been an unfathomably difficult time for many. The resilience and community I have witnessed as Angelenos across the city jumped into action to support our evacuation sites and our first responders has been astounding. During this time of fear and uncertainty, I am drawing inspiration from all of you who have responded with open hearts and open arms. 

Below, you will find more information about closures, power outages, safety tips, and available resources. We are also regularly updating our website with the latest information HERE. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office for additional assistance at contactcd4@lacity.gov, or by calling us at 213-473-7004. 

Please continue to stay off the roads and remain indoors if possible to allow our emergency response teams to quickly access impacted areas. 

Together we will get through this, 

CLOSURES 

Roads

  • Restricted access to the hills: to support first responders and ensure community safety, we strongly urge non-residents and non-essential workers to stay out of the hills where red flag warnings are in effect until further notice.
  • Griffith Park remains closed, including Lake Hollywood Park, Runyon Canyon, the Hollywood Reservoir, the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and the LA Zoo. Please stay out of these areas until this emergency subsides. This is essential to keep roads clear for our many residents who live alongside these popular destinations that also happen to be in Very High Fire Severity Zones.
  • Red Flag Alert parking restrictions are in effect at least until 6PM Friday. To view affected parking areas, search for your neighborhood in this LAFD interactive map: Red Flag Parking Restrictions. Updates regarding the Red Flag Parking status can be found at https://ers.lafd.org/redflag/. 

Schools

  • All LAUSD schools will be closed through Friday. 
  • For real time updates, please visit lausd.org. 

POWER OUTAGES

As of 7:00 AM, approximately 202,406 customers’ power has been restored, including over 100,000 customers restored since yesterday. 

The number of customers without power was 96,708 as of 7:00AM. 

There are over 118 crews working around the clock to restore power and PG&E mutual aid crews will be arriving later today. Please note that the estimated time to respond to power out remains at 24-48 hours; however, customers without power who are within or near fire impacted areas may experience extended outages of a longer duration due to equipment fire damage or the inability of crews to access the equipment to begin restoration. 

If you lose power:

  • Report outages online at http://www.ladwp.com/outages or by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).
  • 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.

SAFETY TIPS

*The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a 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.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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) may be able to help with the cost of temporary housing. JFLA’s 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

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.