LA wildfires: Resources for finding and offering help

Written by Andrea Domanick and Marion Hodges.

Eaton Fire evacuees took refuge at the Pasadena Convention Center on Wednesday, January 8 where volunteers provided food, pet supplies, and access to social workers. Photo by Megan Jamerson/KCRW.

Updated Jan. 21 at 8:11 p.m. PST

Stay tuned to 89.9 KCRW and KCRW.com for continuing coverage of the emergency fire and wind conditions currently facing LA County. We will update this page regularly with new resources as we gather more information. If you have any tips or resources to share, please send them to newsletters@kcrw.org. Follow KCRW's reporting on the wildfires and their aftermath here

Getting help 

Click above to check out our resources guide covering shelter, food, insurance, transportation, mental health services, animals, and more. Renters who have been displaced or impacted by the fires can also find our dedicated guide to key info and resources here


Be a helper

A guide to philanthropic best practices and a running list of donation and volunteer opportunities across the greater Los Angeles area.


Sign up for the KCRW Wildfire Crisis Newsletter

Emergency updates, disaster relief, ways to connect, and how to help — the California Newsroom, a partnership between KCRW, LAist, PBS SoCal, and CalMatters, is here to deliver free, reliable, and essential local news and updates.


Preparedness and general resources

Resources for Californians impacted by Los Angeles fires can be found at ca.gov/LAfires.

Air quality:

Wildfire health questions: Air quality, clean up risks and more

Updated maps are available here

Alerts:

Sign up here.

Maps:

Updated maps of fires, evacuation orders, animal shelters, road closures can be found at CalFire and Watch Duty.

LA County has released preliminary damage assessment maps for the Palisades and Eaton fires. 

LA County services:

Find updated information on LA county evacuations, shelters, water and health alerts, road closures, and service impacts at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/.

Go bag essentials (for Humans)

  • 3-day supply of non-perishable food and 3 gallons of water per person
  • Map with at least 2 evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions and/or medications
  • A change of clothing 
  • Eyeglasses/contact lenses + extras 
  • Car keys + other essential keys, plus extras or duplicates 
  • Credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks
  • First aid kit 
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Flashlight 
  • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
  • Important documents and/or copies (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Pet food, water, and medications 
  • Phone charger 
  • Portable charger 

Go bag essentials (for pets)

  • Carriers or crates for each pet that are labeled with your information.  Double check that all carriers are secure for travel.
  • A leash and harness for each animal, even if they are typically not walked.
  • Food and water for 3-5 days, including bowls.
  • Any medications your pet may need.
  • Comfort items such as blankets or toys to help reduce stress.
  • Litter box and small amount of litter.