Catastrophic Fires Are Ravaging Los Angeles. Here Is How to Stay Safe.

With fire containment essentially at zero, life in Los Angeles has taken a catastrophic turn. The Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Kenneth Fire, Hurst Fire, and Archer Fire continue to grow due to severe weather and conditions and extreme wind, and the city’s skyline is alit with fires at every angle. From devastating home losses, air quality issues, and power outages to school cancellations and road closures, it’s a jarring time to be in the city.

With six active fires, over 35,000 acres burned, hundreds of incidents of damaged and destroyed structures, more than 200,000 customers without power, and more than 180,000 residents evacuated from their homes, and a number of injuries and fatalities, the wildfires in Los Angeles are collectively one of the worst national disasters to hit a Western city in the recent history. 

During this time, it’s essential to keep up to date and be immediately responsive to evacuation orders. Otherwise, officials advise staying off the roads if you can to allow emergency vehicles to move across the city.

Here’s essential information on how to stay up to date, safe, and how to help. We will be updating this as more information becomes available throughout the days to come.

How to Track the Fires

Watch Duty: This non-profit app provides real-time alerts on wildfires, firefighting efforts, evacuation notices and warnings, and open shelters.

Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Zone Map: This map offers a quick detailed look at the active fire zones in Los Angeles County.

Cal Fire Emergency Incident Map: This map allows you to click into individual fires.

Evacuation Shelters

The following locations are accepting those who need shelter from the wildfires.

Arcadia Community Center, 375 Campus Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007

Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362

El Camino Real Charter High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills

Pan Pacific Recreation Center,7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101

Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331

Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8825 Kester Ave, Panorama City, CA 91402

Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 South Sepulveda Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90025

What to Pack

When we attended survival school with specialist Thomas Coyne, he suggested stocking your back with these items. In addition, here are other resources provided by the city.

LAFD 6 P’s: According to LAFD, the following are the essentials for your go-bag, in addition to keeping a pair of old shoes and a flashlight near or under your bed ready for evacuation.

• People and pets
• Papers, phone numbers, and important documents
• Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses
• Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
• Personal computers (information on hard drive and disks)
• “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash

CALfire Go-Bag: Here is what CALfire suggests packing should you need to evacuate.

• A 3-day supply of non-perishable food & 3 gallons of water per person
• A map with at least 2 evacuation routes
• Necessary prescriptions or medications
• A change of clothes & extra eyeglasses/contact lenses
• Extra car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks
• A first aid kit & sanitation supplies
• A flashlight & battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
• Pet food & water

Animal Shelters

The following locations are accepting animals who need shelter from the wildfires.

Agoura Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Baldwin Park Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Carson Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248

Downey Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 11268 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242

Industry Hills Expo (Large Animal Center), 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744

Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536

Los Angeles Equestrian Center (Large Animal Shelter), 480 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506

Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animal Shelter), 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550

Pasadena Humane Society (Small Animal Shelter), 361 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105

Pico Rivera Sports Arena (Large Animal Shelter), 11003 Sports Arena Dr, Pico Rivera, CA 90601

Pomona Fairplex (Large Animal Shelter), 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

Pierce College Equestrian Center (Large Animal Shelter), 7100 El Rancho Dr, Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Other Assistance

Airbnb: Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires. The organization has partnered with 211 LA to connect people with a free place to stay. You can find out more info on how to apply here.

Babyletto: LA-based nursery furniture brand is offering free replacement cribs. Email the company info@babyletto.com for more information.

Best Friends Animal Society: Visit the two pet pantry locations in Los Angeles to get supplies like pet food, leashes, collars, bowls, and more. The pantries are located at 1845 Pontius Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025, and 17411 Chatsworth Ave, Suite #100, Granada Hills, CA 91344.

Lyft: Use code CAFIRERELIEF25 for two rides up to $25 each ($50 total). Offer valid for 500 riders until January 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Planet Fitness: The gym is opening up its L.A. locations to residents, first responders, and others affected by the wildfires, providing access to free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets to charge devices, showers, lockers, and HydroMassage loungers. Go here for a list of participating locations. Offer valid until January 15.

World Central Kitchen: Chef José Andrés’s non-profit is providing free hot meals to the public at various locations across Southern California. Go here to find locations.

Uber: Evacuees can redeem a free Uber ride up to $40 to a designated shelter location with code WILDFIRE25.

YMCA: The YMCA is offering free child care for children of first repsonders, essential workers, and children of families have been displaced, evacuated, or who cannot attend school because it is closed for the day. Children must be at least 4 years and 9 months old to attend the program. Contact afterschool@ymcaLA.org for more information.

Donate

Baby2Baby: Baby2Baby is providing diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products to children and families who have lost their homes.

California Fire Foundation: The California Fire Foundation provides critical support to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve. Donations are tax-deductible.

California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund: The organization collaborates with local foundations and nonprofit organizations that provide emergency aid to wildfire survivors and first responders, bridging financial gaps to ensure continued support.

Red Cross Wildfire Relief: Make a tax-deductible donation here.

World Central Kitchen: Help World Central Kitchen continue to provide food for first responders and people in need.

Editor’s Note: We’ll be updating this post as more information comes in.